State media reported that Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is on a two-day visit to Moscow, has begun his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
PM Imran to exchange views on international and regional issues during his meeting with Putin radio pakistanThe two leaders are also expected to discuss bilateral relations, especially cooperation in the energy sector.
Matters related to Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan can also come up for discussion.
Ahead of the meeting, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who is part of PM Imran’s delegation in Moscow, confirmed that the premier was on his way to meet President Putin, about the downgrading of the premier’s visit amid Ukraine-Russia tensions. “Speculation” dismissed.
Sharing the update on Twitter, Chowdhury said that after the meeting between the two leaders, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Valentinovich Novak will meet PM Imran and his accompanying delegation at the hotel where they are staying.
The Information Minister said in a tweet that the Prime Minister’s visit is on and the Prime Minister will return to Pakistan tonight as per the schedule.
Chowdhary’s clarification comes after a report The Associated Press Claimed that the Prime Minister is ending his Moscow visit.
Earlier today (Thursday) PM Imran laid wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow to pay tribute to the casualties of World War II.
PM Imran reached He was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov on his arrival in Moscow yesterday on a two-day official visit. He was also given a guard of honour.
according to this Dawn News Correspondent Adil Shahzeb, who is currently in Moscow, said the PM’s “important meeting” with Putin has been extended to three hours, which was earlier scheduled for an hour.
However, he quoted some diplomatic sources as saying that the PM’s schedule can be changed anytime.
Qureshi met Lavrovi
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, as the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
Qureshi said that Pakistan attaches special importance to bilateral relations with Russia. He said that the relations between Pakistan and Russia have gradually strengthened.
Qureshi told his Russian counterpart, “Pakistan pursues economic priorities and promotes regional relations in the light of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision.”
Lavrov congratulates Qureshi and the Pakistani leadership on the success of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan held in Islamabad He also expressed his best wishes for the upcoming meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Council in Islamabad in December last year and next month.
The last Pakistani prime minister to visit Russia was Nawaz Sharif in March 1999, while former President Asif Ali Zardari visited Moscow in 2011.
PM Imran’s visit saw With great anticipation by many inside and outside Pakistan, although the Government of Pakistan describes it as a prelude to greater ties in strategic, energy and regional connectivity.
The timing of the visit has been discussed, but top Pakistani government officials described it as one of the rare opportunities for the energy-hungry country after the US’s withdrawal for energy, regional connectivity and a role in Afghanistan.
However, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf had rubbished the notion about the timing of the visit. “Yes, there is global tension but our visit is bilateral in nature and a similar path was followed in the visit to China where the economy, economic indicators and connectivity were central to that visit,” he said.