"The current volume of trade between the two countries does not reflect the true potential of Pakistan and Russia," Shikari said. "Although Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Russia reached an unprecedented $1 billion last year, there is potential for a much higher number."
"Pakistan’s major imports from Russia include wheat and muslin, crude oil, minerals and fertilizers, and other items such as pharmaceutical products, bituminous coal, synthetic rubber, sunflower seeds and petroleum gasses," Shikari said.
"Despite the growing interest for trade between the two countries, there are payment issues due to Western sanctions on Russia, which Moscow aims to bypass by pursuing barter deals that take away the need for payment exchange," Shikari said, "reducing the impact of sanctions and embargoes."
"The primary goal is to enhance trade, strengthen diplomatic ties, and develop infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector," Shikari said. "As Pakistan is enhancing its ties with Russia and China, influence of the West is diminishing in the South Asian region."