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Russia offers blended crude oil to Pakistan

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  • Offer is part of 100,000 barrels per day crude oil supply.
  • Russian side says ready to work with Pakistani authorities.
  • Pakistan more interested in light crude oil to process it efficiently.

KARACHI: Russia has made an offered to provide blended crude oil to Pakistan as the country’s refining sector is not able to process crude oil of one specification, The News reported on Friday.

The Russian side made an offer during a virtual meeting held between the authorities on Thursday. The offer is a part of the 100,000 barrels per day crude oil supply.

The Pakistani side, led by State Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik, comprised senior officials of the Petroleum Division and representatives from the oil sector whereas the Russian side consisted of senior officials of the energy ministry and relevant departments.

Sources privy to the proceedings of the meeting told The News the Pakistani authorities told their Russian counterparts that the country needed crude oil, petroleum products, gas and investment in infrastructure.

The Russian side told the Pakistani authorities that they were ready to work with them and would further deliberate upon it when a delegation from Russia would visit Pakistan in the third week of January 2023.

They further said that Russia would supply 100,000 barrels of crude oil to Pakistan daily. However, the Pakistani authorities told them that the country’s refineries were hydro-skimming and processing light crude oil. They added that they would be more interested in light crude oil to process it efficiently.

The Russian authorities said that if the Pakistani refineries are not capable of processing one crude oil, they can provide them with blended crude oil.

The sources said that more discussion would be held when the Russian authorities would visit Pakistan next month.

The Pakistani delegation visited Russia at the end of November to hold talks on the supply of oil and gas at discounted rates.

After returning from Russia, Malik, addressing a news conference, said that Russia had agreed to supply crude oil. However, the rates and mode of payment were yet to be finalised, for which the Russian authorities would visit Pakistan next month.

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Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

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The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

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Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

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Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

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Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

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According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.

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