Pakistan soon to receive first order of seaborne Russian crude

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Russian Ambassador to Islamabad Danila Ganich said on Thursday that a tanker carrying Russian crude oil will soon arrive in Pakistan.

No further details have been disclosed regarding the delivery.

Last month, Pakistani Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik said that Islamabad had placed its first order for oil supplies from Russia.

He noted that the first shipment would be scheduled to arrive in the port of Karachi in May. 

"I can say that a tanker with Russian crude oil is expected to arrive in Pakistan soon," Ganich told Russian broadcaster Russia-24.

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He further said that he would not provide further details to avoid facilitating "the task for the Western intelligence services."  

In January this year, the two countries agreed on all commercial terms of imports of Russian gas, including payment in the Pakistani national currency, and other issues concerned with logistics, insurance, and export volumes set to be agreed upon by the start of the shipments.

The country's energy security plan said that crude oil, LNG, pipeline gas, and other fuels are planned to be imported from Russia. This agreement will allow Pakistan to cover up to 35% of its crude oil needs.

In March, Russian and Pakistani companies negotiated contracts regarding supplies of Russian oil and a pilot shipment of fuel being discussed.

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