Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, Putin and Shehbaz expressed mutual determination in their countries’ bilateral relations, especially in the trade and energy sectors.
Putin said Russia is ready to increase energy supplies to Pakistan, while also trying to contribute to food security and increase grain supply.
Shehbaz said Pakistan has a long-standing business relationship with Russia. Currently our bilateral trade stands at around $1 billion, with significant potential to expand by addressing financial and banking issues.
Shehbaz emphasized the historical trade relations between the two countries, recalling the barter trading system of the 1950s and 1970s.
Shehbaz recently acknowledged the shipment of oil from Russia to Pakistan and indicated his keen interest in expanding cooperation in the energy sector.
