By Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has continued to deepen its energy and industrial cooperation with Russia, as officials confirmed ongoing discussions on multiple strategic projects. The collaboration comes against a backdrop of broader regional tensions and recent scrutiny of India-Pakistan military encounters.
According to foreign media reports, Pakistan began importing Russian crude oil in 2023, and Russian Energy Minister Sergei Svelyov disclosed in November that Russian companies are exploring plans to upgrade a refinery in Pakistan. The initiative reflects a growing partnership in oil production and refining, with both nations seeking to capitalize on technical expertise and industrial capacity.
Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb underlined Russia’s technical capabilities in the energy sector and confirmed that negotiations are ongoing for a formal cooperation agreement. He also revealed that both countries are exploring the possibility of establishing an additional steel plant in Pakistan, signaling ambitions to strengthen industrial as well as energy ties.
Together, these developments illustrate Pakistan’s dual approach of bolstering both economic and energy security through international partnerships while navigating complex regional military dynamics. Officials have framed the engagement with Russia as a long-term effort to enhance domestic industrial infrastructure, energy independence, and technological collaboration, reflecting broader ambitions for strategic resilience amid a competitive geopolitical environment.
The report, citing independent analysis of operational losses and mission outcomes, suggested that the Indian Air Force suffered significant aircraft losses, challenging New Delhi’s official narrative of the engagement. Analysts noted that the findings could influence regional military assessments and underscore the strategic implications of ongoing defence postures between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
