Pakistan open to buying oil, wheat from Russia

Pakistan May 29 Hindustan Times-Pakistan is open to importing oil and food products from Russia, the country’s foreign office spokesperson said on Saturday amid US-led Western sanctions against Moscow. 

“Our policy is clear, you know in terms of expanding economic and trade relations, we have an open policy, driven by national interest. Wherever we see there is a national benefit, we pursue those options and avenues,”

spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said, as quoted by The Express Tribune, while responding to a question that whether or not Pakistan was considering importing oil and food grains from Russia.

The Shehbaz Sharif government has been struggling to revive a flailing economy left behind by ousted prime minister Imran Khan. The new government, left with fewer options, recently announced a record reduction in subsidies on petroleum products. 

Reports suggest that the move has been taken to placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an economic bailout.