The devastating floods that hit Pakistan have resulted in the loss of crops across the country because they submerged a large portion of the country’s agricultural land.
According to media reports, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Saturday that in addition to gas, Russia has offered to provide Pakistan with wheat in the wake of catastrophic floods and in anticipation of a possible food shortage.
According to Dawn, he disclosed the news at a press conference in Islamabad. “Russia has indicated that it can provide us with wheat because we may experience shortages in the coming days.”
A day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation returned from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan, the minister made his statement.
Sharif met with a number of world leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, during his two-day visit.
During one such meeting on Thursday, Putin stated that gas pipeline delivery to Pakistan is feasible, indicating that the necessary infrastructures are already in place.
Dawn reported that the two leaders committed to expanding and strengthening cooperation in all areas of mutual benefit, including food security, trade and investment, energy, defence, and security.
On Saturday, Asif confirmed the development during a press conference.
“They have indicated they can provide us with gas. Russia stated that it has gas pipelines in Central Asian nations, which could be extended through Afghanistan to Pakistan. These discussions have occurred,” he elaborated.
Putin appreciated Pakistan’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict at the United Nations (UN) and internationally, according to the minister.
During the meeting with the Chinese president, Xi expressed his desire to resume the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project with the “same vigour and determination.”
Asif stated, “He told Pakistan, ‘We are all-weather friends,’ and offered assistance in any circumstance.”
In recent years, Pakistan’s relations with Russia have moved past the bitter Cold War hostilities between the two countries, and the deterioration in Pakistan’s relations with the United States has further pushed the country towards China and Russia.
Russia is eager to sell arms to Pakistan, which is something it has avoided doing in the past due to opposition from India. Not only are the two countries looking into ways to deepen their economic ties, but Russia is also interested in selling arms to Pakistan.
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