Trade has clearly been made a priority by the current government with Islamabad directing their Ambassador to Russia to sign an agreement with Moscow to pay RS 14.42 Billion ($93.5 US Dollars).
The settlement is due to the Russian exporters’ claims pending since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. This clearance would open up the floodgates for potential investments by Russian investors in Pakistan.
The details of the agreement meant Pakistan would return $93.5 million US Dollars to Russia within 90 days of the signing and clear pending exporters’ claims to the tune of $23.8 million as per settlement agreements of October 6, 2016 and December 27, 2017.
This agreement although not detrimental will be a much needed gesture of good will towards Russia by Pakistan with the two parties not meeting the potential of their relationship due to the precedents set by the Cold War.