Pakistan not ‘pursuing or receiving’ discounted energy from Russia: Bilawal
This month only Musadik Malik said that Russia will provide crude oil to Pakistan at discounted rates.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan is not “pursuing or receiving” any discounted energy from Russia, just a few days after his cabinet colleague had claimed that Pakistan is seeking oil at discounted rates from the energy-rich country.
On December 5, Minister of State (Petroleum Division) Musadik Malik, after visiting Moscow, claimed that Russia agreed to provide crude oil as well as petrol and diesel to Pakistan at discounted rates.
Speaking during an interview with PBS NewsHour on Wednesday, Bilawal said: “We are facing an extremely difficult economic situation, inflation, pump prices. We do have energy insecurity and we are exploring various avenues to expand the areas where we can get energy from. Any energy we receive from Russia will take a long time for us to develop.”
When asked if Pakistan can have a relationship with the United States as well as strengthen ties with China and do business deals with Russia, the foreign minister said that as far as Pakistan’s relationship with China is concerned, China is its neighbour with a long history between the two countries.
Pakistan has a lot of cooperation with China, particularly on the economic front, he said, adding that Pakistan has a historical relationship with the US that stretches back to the 1950s.
“We have partnered over the course of history and I believe whenever the United States and Pakistan have worked together, we have achieved great things. And whenever there’s been a distance developed between us, we’ve faltered.”
“I believe we are now heading in a positive direction with increased engagement on both sides. I think it’s more important, in a world that offers a multitude of challenges, for us to find areas in which we do on to work together. We are doing that on climate, health, we’re finding business and economic opportunities, particularly for women.”
Bilawal said that Pakistan and the US are cooperating in a whole host of areas, calling it a healthy sign. Yes just like Iraq, Iran, Libya, Saudia.
