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President Putin to ‘decide’ on Russian oil price discount for Pakistan

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  • Putin labels Pakistan ‘key partner’ in special message to Shehbaz.
  • Sources say there will be no decision on discount in crude price during ongoing talks.
  • Moscow will announce price of Russian crude once MoU is signed.

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan could secure crude oil deal with Russia on desired discount rate if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacts Russian President Vladimir Putin, The News reported on Friday citing sources.

Pakistan is interested in buying around 100,000 barrels per day of Russian crude oil and if the country’s refineries get synchronised well with the blended Russian crude oil, then the quantity of crude from Russia would be increased accordingly.

Amid ongoing talks with the Russian Federation, the two sides are working to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or a protocol that may be signed today at the end of three-day talks.

However, Moscow clearly communicated to Islamabad that it would announce the price of Russian crude for Islamabad once an MoU or a protocol was signed for energy trade (crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas), which would show the seriousness of the Government of Pakistan towards the energy trade.

“The experts from Russia also asked Pakistan counterparts not to mention the price cap of $60 per barrel imposed on Russian oil by G7 countries while discussing the crude import,” the officials involved in the talks told The News.

However, sources told the publication that the issue of discount as desired by Pakistan on crude oil would be decided by Russian President Putin if the Pakistan government’s top man contacts him.

It should be noted that the Russian oil price in the international market currently hovers between $70-75 per barrel whereas Brent is priced at $81 per barrel. However, Pakistan hopes that it will get crude oil below $60 per barrel from Russia under the government-to-government mode.

As far as the $3 billion Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP) is concerned, Pakistan is of the view that it will erect the pipeline but it is linked with the supply of more LNG and infrastructure at the port. Russia wanted to initiate the project and move forward in finalising the shareholding under the existing intergovernmental agreement. 

But now Pakistan wants it to execute the project on a BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) basis.

Overall, the officials said that the talks under the inter-governmental commission level are moving forward on a positive trajectory, but after the signing of the MoU for energy trade, Russia will come up with the price for Pakistan. 

Officials said this means there will be no decision on the discount in crude price and life of the government-to-government agreement during the ongoing talks.

However, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) mandarins are engaged on behalf of Pakistan with Russian officials and experts on the issue of import of crude, finished products and LNG issues and officials of Oil and Gas Development Company and Mari Gas Company are in talks on the issue of building LNG storages.

“PARCO can process the Russian blended oil by up to 30%, Pakistan Refinery Limited 50% and the Cynergico Refinery can process the maximum. As for the LNG import, the private companies of Russia have told Pakistan that they can offer it after 2025-26 on a long-term basis,” the sources revealed.

Putin views Pakistan as ‘key partner’

In a separate development, a delegation led by Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov called on PM Shehbaz in Lahore and discussed cooperation in various fields to strengthen Pakistan-Russia relations.

Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with the Russian Federation.

He recalled his meeting with President Putin in Samarkand in September 2022 and said that the meeting had reached important decisions to strengthen bilateral relations. He further noted with satisfaction the keen desire on both sides to upgrade the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and economic matters.

The Russian minister reciprocated the PM’s sentiments and delivered a special message of President Putin to his host.

In his message, President Putin, referring to Pakistan as Russia’s important partner in South Asia and the Islamic world, reiterated his strong interest to deepen the bilateral relationship.

Both sides agreed on the importance of the energy sector for the development of bilateral economic and trade relations. In this regard, views were exchanged on supplying oil and gas from Russia to Pakistan on a long-term basis. Matters related to gas pipelines were also reviewed.

PM Shehbaz also provided guidance for the work of the eighth round of the Pakistan-Russia inter-governmental commission meeting, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on January 20.

Federal ministers Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for State for Petroleum Musadik Malik and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatimi were also present.

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ECC Convenes in Islamabad: Forum Sanctions Spa Agreement Between PSO and SOCAR Azerbaijan

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Pakistan State Oil and SOCAR Azerbaijan have signed a sale purchase agreement for the delivery of petroleum products, which has been approved by the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee.

The Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the ECC meeting in Islamabad, where the permission to this effect was granted.

The Ministry of Energy’s Circular Debt Management Plan for FY 2024–2025 was also authorized by the conference. Its goals are to improve financial sustainability and lower liabilities in the power industry.

The committee examined the situation with the increase in prices for chicken and pulses. In order to offer the general public with relief as soon as possible, it expressed worry about the situation and requested that the National Price Monitoring Committee keep an eye on it in cooperation with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Provincial Administration.

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Pakistan has reduced its policy rate to an all-time high.

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There has been a significant decrease in the policy interest rate that Pakistan has implemented. The country’s central bank made the announcement on Monday that it will be lowering interest rates by 250 basis points, bringing them down to 15 percent. This was a record-breaking reduction in Pakistan’s policy rate, which was done with the intention of bolstering the economy, which had been struggling.

Following a significant decrease in Pakistan’s inflation rate, the central bank made this move. It was anticipated in a poll conducted by Reuters that policy rates would be reduced by 200 basis points. There was a forty percent increase in the country’s inflation rate in May 2023, however it has since decreased to seven point two percent in October. The Ministry of Finance anticipates that inflation will continue to decline, reaching a level of between 5.5 and 6.5 percent in the month of November.

Earlier, Pakistan had reduced the policy rate by 700 basis points over the course of four separate measures beginning in June of last year. The economy of Pakistan has been in a precarious situation for a considerable amount of time. The majority of economists are of the opinion that falling interest rates is essential in order to stimulate economic expansion.

By stating that the existing monetary policy will assist stabilize commodity prices and keep inflation between 5 and 7 percent, the State Bank of Pakistan expressed its support for a reduction in interest rates. In addition to contributing to the preservation of macroeconomic stability, it will also contribute to the achievement of economic growth on a sustainable basis.

Jameel Ahmad, the Governor of the Central Bank, informed analysts at a briefing that Pakistan’s bilateral partner countries have promised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of continuing support for the duration of their current financial recovery program. This announcement was made in conjunction with the announcement of the policy rate decline.

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The stock market rises to all-time highs and crosses the 92,000-point mark.

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The primary index hit the crucial 92,000-point benchmark as the stock market soared to new all-time highs.

A significant increase was made by the hundred-index, which closed at 92,351 points after rising 414 points.

According to analysts, this increase is the result of a resurgence of investor confidence, which has been supported by strong mood in international markets and solid economic indications.

With predictions for more increase as market stability improves, the most recent surge highlights a robust recovery trend.

The market fell from previous record highs due to selling pressure, causing the Pakistan Stock Exchange to see a steep dip earlier today.

The benchmark 100-index ended the trading session down after originally rising 572 points to an all-time high of 92,514 points.

The market finished the day at 91,660 points, down 278 points, unable to hold the 92,000-point threshold after hitting spectacular highs.

Analysts point to investor profit-taking as a contributing factor in the decline, indicating a cautious attitude in the market following recent advances. The market is becoming more volatile, and investors are paying close attention to patterns.

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