Rehan Shahid 
Dec 16, 2025
Pakistan is in talks with Russia on a potential oil-sector agreement, as the talks focus on cooperation in exploration, production, and refining between the two countries.
In an interview with RIA new, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said: "All of these areas are Russia’s strengths. And we would be very happy if Russia agreed on an agreement in this sector with Pakistan.
"At present, the issue is being discussed by the energy ministries of both sides." Russia also discussed upgrading a refinery in Pakistan with Russian companies involved, said Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev.
In recent years, Islamabad has stepped up engagement with Russia as Moscow sought new energy markets after Western sanctions over Ukraine, and Islamabad looked to lower import costs. Pakistan began buying Russian crude in 2023.
RIA reported that FinMin Aurangzeb also said Russia and Pakistan are looking into building another steel plant in Pakistan.
Previously, Pakistan received Russian crude shipments in 2023 under a government-led arrangement. The first cargo arrived at Karachi port on June 2023, when a tanker carrying 45,000 tonnes of Russian crude docked.
The government had placed the first order for 100,000 tonnes of Russian crude in April 2023 after months-long talks on the terms of the deal.
