"Pakistan is very interested in purchasing Russian oil. Now we are in the final stage of working out the payment mechanism. I believe everything will be implemented, once it is agreed upon," Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said.
Coordinator to Pakistani Prime Minister Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan said in October that Pakistan planned to increase oil imports from Russia in the near future, with about 100,000 tonnes of Russian oil already purchased in 2023.
Russia could become Pakistan's largest trading partner, both in terms of exports and imports, once all banking issues are settled, the speaker pointed out.
"I believe that we have not fully realized each other's potential in terms of trade. The current trade of over 1 billion is not the maximum we could achieve," Sardar said.
The speaker also noted Pakistan’s intention to join BRICS as a partner nation, adding that Russia had supported the country’s application.