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Arab News
10-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Top Russian official terms Pakistan ‘important partner' in economy and energy development
ISLAMABAD: A top Russian official on Thursday described Pakistan as an 'important partner' in the region's economic and energy development and called the two countries 'natural allies' during a meeting in Moscow, according to an official statement issued by the foreign office in Islamabad. The remarks were made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk during an interaction with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, and SAPM on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan. The delegation is currently in Moscow it attend INNOPROM, Russia's largest annual industrial trade fair, which brings together government delegations, business leaders and technology firms from over 30 countries to explore partnerships in manufacturing, engineering and high-tech industries. During the meeting, the Pakistani official said relations with Russia remained a key foreign policy priority for Islamabad. Overchuk also recalled his visit to Pakistan last year to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit where he was hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. 'Characterizing Pakistan and Russia as 'natural allies', he stressed that President [Vladimir] Putin considered Pakistan as an important partner in the growth and development of economy and energy in the region,' the foreign office said in a statement released after the meeting. 'He also highlighted the significance of important connectivity projects between two countries, such as the railway connectivity between Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Russia, and the launching of pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia in August 2025,' it added. The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, including the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan and the Middle East. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation at multilateral forums. Prime Minister Sharif's adviser on industries and production highlighted the government's investment-friendly policies and ongoing discussions on establishing a new steel mill in Karachi, describing it as a potential 'leap forward' in Pakistan-Russia cooperation and a revival of a key legacy project. Originally built in the 1970s with Soviet assistance, the Pakistan Steel Mills stood for national self-sufficiency for decades before becoming non-operational in 2015 due to prolonged financial mismanagement, political interference and mounting losses. Talks are now underway between the two countries to launch a new steel mill project in Karachi. Welcoming the high-level visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said President Putin remained committed to expanding cooperation with Islamabad across all major sectors. He also conveyed that the Russian president looked forward to meeting the Pakistani prime minister on the sidelines of the upcoming SCO-Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin, China, later this August.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
President pushes to unlock Russia trade
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said Pakistan and Russia have enormous potential needed to be exploited to expand bilateral partnership in trade, investment, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. The president made these remarks as chief guest at the special ceremony celebrating the 35th National Day of the Russian Federation held in the federal capital. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Fatemi and members of the diplomatic corps attended the event. The president stated that Pakistan regards Russia as an important global power that has been a key player in ensuring regional peace and stability, particularly in the Eurasian region. President Zardari extended his sincere congratulations to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation Albert Khorev as well as to the people of Russia. "On this significant occasion, Pakistan joins Russia in celebrating this National Day, reflecting our solidarity and friendship. I am glad to state that our bilateral relations have improved over the years, based on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests in various fields," the president said. He said there have been extensive high-level interactions between the two countries that had laid the foundation for deeper engagement and understanding. Pakistan and Russia also continue to cooperate closely on regional and international platforms, he added. The president underlined that SAPM Tariq Fatemi had a promising meeting with Russian Foreign Minister in Moscow early this month where both sides had underscored the importance of peace and stability in the region. "I am confident that the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Russia will continue to strengthen. As we celebrate this important occasion tonight, let us reaffirm our commitment to building bridges of understanding and cooperation between our two nations. Let us take hold of the opportunities that lie ahead and work together for a brighter and more prosperous future. Long Live Pakistan-Russia friendship," President Zardari said. Earlier, in his welcome address, Ambassador Khorev emphasized that Russia remains a sovereign, powerful, and resilient nation, driven by the unwavering support of its people. Reflecting on the words of President Putin, the Ambassador noted that Russia has historically played a unifying role in the region, stretching "from the Baltics to the Caucasus." Highlighting the steady progress in Pak-Russia relations, Ambassador Khorev stated that bilateral cooperation is advancing at a satisfactory pace across various sectors. He expressed appreciation for Pakistan's growing interest in Russian language and culture. "We commend the Pakistani enthusiasm for learning the Russian language," he remarked. "The Russian Mission is actively supporting the establishment and expansion of language learning institutions across the country." The ambassador also reaffirmed Russia's continued support for Pakistan on various international platforms, noting that both nations are working together to deepen ties in education, diplomacy, and mutual development. The event concluded with Russian musician's performance on folk music.
Arab News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Russia urges normal India-Pakistan ties, eyes deeper counterterrorism cooperation with Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday called for normal relations between India and Pakistan and expressed interest in closer counterterrorism cooperation with Islamabad during a meeting with a senior aide of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Moscow. The meeting came as Syed Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the prime minister, began a visit to Russia weeks after India and Pakistan exchanged missiles, drones and artillery fire, following heightened tensions that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10. Pakistan has since call for a 'composite dialogue' with India to discuss all outstanding issues, though New Delhi has rejected direct talks after Washington said the two countries had agreed to meet at a neutral venue to defuse tensions. Both sides have also formed delegations to present their respective positions over the conflict to the international community. 'At the outset of his visit to the Russian Federation, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) called on Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, this afternoon,' Pakistan's embassy in Moscow said in a statement. 'He also briefed the Russian Foreign Minister, in detail, about the recent developments in South Asia, conveying Pakistan's perspective on the dangers of escalation as well as the dire consequences of India's threat to reduce the flow of the Indus Waters Treaty, by holding the Treaty in a so-called 'abeyance.'' 'Foreign Minister Lavrov stressed Russia's support for promotion of normal relations between the two countries and its positive effect in the region,' the statement added. Fatemi also delivered a letter from Prime Minister Sharif to President Vladimir Putin and conveyed Pakistan's desire to expand cooperation with Russia in areas including energy, trade and connectivity. Lavrov, for his part, expressed satisfaction over the 'steadily growing bilateral cooperation' and cited specific initiatives, including new steel mills and connectivity projects. 'He [Lavrov] also stated that Russia looked forward to working closely with Pakistan, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), especially in the field of counter-terrorism,' the embassy said. Russia and Pakistan have strengthened ties in recent years through growing bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy, and by working together on regional platforms such as the SCO, where both are full members.
Arab News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistani delegation demands resumption of ‘comprehensive' dialogue with India in briefing to OIC envoys
ISLAMABAD: A high-level Pakistani delegation set up by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week briefed members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the United Nations, calling for the resumption of a 'comprehensive dialogue' with India to resolve the Kashmir dispute and other issues, Pakistan's mission to the UN said. Led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the nine-member parliamentary delegation arrived in New York on Monday as the first stop in a diplomatic mission to present Pakistan's position in world capitals following Islamabad's recent military conflict with India. The group headed by Bhutto Zardari will visit New York, Washington DC, London and Brussels. Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, will also visit Moscow. Tensions between Pakistan and India are high after they struck a ceasefire on May 10 following the most intense military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. Both countries accuse the other of supporting militancy on each other's soil — a charge both capitals deny. The latest escalation last month took place following weeks of tensions after India blamed Pakistan for supporting an April 22 attack on the Kashmir territory it governs that killed 26 tourists. Pakistan denied involvement in the incident and called for an international probe. Both countries traded missiles, artillery fire and drone strikes before Washington brokered a ceasefire on May 10. 'He [Bhutto Zardari] reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peace, restraint, and diplomacy, and called for the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, full respect for the ceasefire, and the resumption of a comprehensive dialogue with India, with the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute at its core,' Pakistan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday. Following the attack at the Pahalgam tourist resort in April, India suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. The move drew a sharp response from Islamabad, which said any attempts to divert or stop the flow of its waters by India would be considered an 'act of war.' About 80 percent of Pakistani farms depend on the Indus system, as do nearly all hydropower projects serving the country of some 250 million. 'Mr. Bhutto expressed grave concern at the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a move that Pakistan considers a blatant act of weaponizing water and a violation of international and treaty obligations,' the statement said. The former Pakistani foreign minister thanked OIC countries for their efforts and role aimed at de-escalation, mediation and ceasefire during the conflict. He highlighted that the only path to peace was in dialogue, engagement and diplomacy. 'Mr. Bilawal Bhutto underlined that OIC has emerged as the moral conscience of the world in these difficult times and thanked the OIC member states for their steadfast support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,' the statement said. The statement said that the OIC's permanent representatives appreciated Pakistan's briefing and reaffirmed their solidarity with the country. 'They reiterated their concern over the worsening security situation in South Asia and stressed the importance of upholding the principles of the UN Charter and international law and in this regard, the sanctity of treaties, including the Indus Waters Treaty,' Pakistan's permanent mission to the UN said.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to UN Charter
Syed Tariq Fatemi is a retired diplomat and has long association with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). PHOTO: FILE Prime Minister's Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi held a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. According to a statement of the Pakistani Mission to the UN, the special assistant underscored Pakistan's longstanding commitment to adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, including UN peacekeeping efforts. Fatemi expressed hope that the Pact for the Future, which the world leaders adopted in September last, will be fully implemented, meeting the financing needs of the developing countries to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and climate targets.
