Russia looks for alternative banking channels with Pakistan

Russian Ambassador Albert P Khorev said on Thursday that they were exploring alternative banking channels with Pakistan to reduce reliance on Western payment networks. The two countries have long faced problems in making payments. They could not even implement the Pak Stream Gas Pipeline project owing to US and EU sanctions that derailed the entire plan. Pakistan and Russia are now working on drawing up a roadmap to address payment challenges. "We are working with Pakistan to find out alternatives for payments to lessen dependence on Western payment channels," the ambassador said while addressing a press conference. Regarding bilateral relations, he emphasised that they had so far been successful in moving ahead on different trade and energy matters. Pakistan and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). "We are determined to revive it (PSM)," he stressed, adding that the two countries were studying the banking sector.