Daily Times

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday regretting the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Imran Khan, who had a Summit meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin in the Kremlin, said Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict. “The prime minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict,” a statement issued by the PM Media Office said. “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. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement added.

The two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. 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 added 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. He 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. He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan.

In this regard, the prime minister underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

On the situation in South Asia, he 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.

Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, he 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.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy of Russia Alexander Novak Thursday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here, along with a delegation. During the meeting, they discussed the matters of mutual cooperation in multiple fields.

The prime minister is currently on a two-day official visit to Russia, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian deputy PM met the prime minister after the latter had a detailed one-on-one meeting with President Putin.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, Commerce Adviser Abdur Razzak Dawood and National Security Adviser Mooed Yusuf accompanied the prime minister in the meeting.

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.

During the visit, the prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Asad Umar and Hammad Azhar, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf and Member of the National Assembly Amir Mahmood Kiyani.