PM Imran returns after two-day visit to Russia
Pakistan
PM Imran’s visit to Moscow was the first bilateral trip by a Pakistani PM after two decades
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan and his delegation reached Islamabad in the wee hours of Friday after completing two-day visit to Russia, Dunya News reported.
PM Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow was the first bilateral trip by a Pakistani prime minister after two decades, PM Imran Khan was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the members of his cabinet.
PM Imran, Russian President Putin held three-hour long meeting
During his visit to Russia, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday held nearly three-hour long meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin in Moscow.
According to sources, the two leaders discussed matters relating to bilateral relations and other important affairs.
The two leaders reviewed the entire array of bilateral relations including economic and energy cooperation, particularly the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline. The regional situation including the developing scenario of Ukraine also came under discussion.
The Russian President also hosted a luncheon for Prime Minister Imran Khan. Earlier on his arrival at Kremlin, the Prime Minister was warmly received by Russian President.
The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf and Member of the National Assembly Amir Mahmood Kiyani. This is the first bilateral visit by a Pakistani Prime Minister to Russia after a gap of 23 years and is being termed as a historic step to renew relations between the two countries.
Floral Wreath
Earlier, PM Imran Khan also laid a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial dedicated to Soviet soldiers killed during World War II. The national anthems of Pakistan and Russia were played on the occasion as the prime minister observed a moment of silence in respect for the fallen troops.
PM Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow was the first bilateral trip by a Pakistani prime minister after two decades, PM Imran Khan was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the members of his cabinet.
PM Imran meets Russian deputy PM Novak
Prime Minister Imran Khan also held a separate meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for Energy of Russia Alexander Novak, along with a delegation. During the meeting, matters pertaining to mutual cooperation in multiple fields came under discussion.
PM Imran hopes diplomacy could avert Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Prime Minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict. The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict.
PM Imran Khan underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence. Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that inter-faith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.
On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.
Recalling the telephone conversations during the recent months between the two leaders, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations will continue to move forward in the future.
He said that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects. The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forge a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.
In the regional context, the Prime Minister underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan.
In this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
