KARACHI: Pakistan has suspended its import of crude oil from Russia after refining process yielded more furnace oil than petrol, sources in energy sector said.

Moreover, sources claimed that Pakistan Refinery had refused to process more Russian oil, as it yielded less petrol with 20 percent more furnace oil than Arabian crude oil.

They said that benefits of importing Russian crude oil were limited with larger quantity of export of furnace oil at lower price. Some sources also claimed that Russian oil had yielded less kerosene and jet fuel for ships, which was not beneficial for country.

Moreover, according to industry sources, Pakistan Refinery has given up refining Russian oil for now, despite insistence of former State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik. Two crude oil ships from Russia had arrived at Karachi Port on June 11 and 26 after which no Russian oil ship came to Pakistan.

Issue of importing oil from Russia has gained great political and diplomatic importance over past year.

Pakistan kept exact price of Russian oil and its arrival secret. First shipment reached Karachi Port on evening of June 11, carrying about 45,000 tonnes. Second ship with about 56,000 tonnes of crude oil had anchored at Karachi Port on June 26.

According to experts, if prices of Brent crude oil and Arab Light Sea crude oil increase further and cost of Russian oil does not increase, only then can purchase of Russian oil be beneficial for Pakistan.