Pakistan has been experiencing an economic crisis since 2022, characterized by high inflation, high debt, job cuts, and a struggling fiscal position. At some point the country was facing a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves and risked defaulting on its debt obligations. Three years ago, Pakistan set a target for cheap Russian crude to make up two-thirds of its oil imports, but has been unable to achieve it hampered by a shortage of foreign currency and limitations at its refineries and ports. The cash-strapped South Asian nation became Russia’s latest customer after Russia started offering discounted urals following sanctions by the west.
