ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday departed here for Moscow on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The prime minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf and Amir Mahmood Kiani.
After a span of two decades, this is the first visit of any Pakistani prime minister to Russia. The bilateral summit will be the highlight of the visit. During the summit meeting, the two leaders will review the entire array of bilateral relations including energy cooperation.
According to Foreign Office, they will also have a wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, including Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan. The prime minister’s visit will contribute to the further deepening of the multifaceted Pakistan-Russia bilateral relationship and enhancement of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.
The statement said Pakistan-Russia relations have made impressive progress over the past two decades. There has been regular interaction between the two sides at the highest level as well as the working level.
Ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting of the PTI’s Central Executive Committee and took them into confidence about his Russia visit. The meeting appreciated the independent foreign policy being pursued by the government.
Later briefing the media persons, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an interview with Russian television, made it clear that Pakistan will not become part of any bloc.
He said the Moscow visit has gained great significance in view of current international scenario. He said all eyes are now on the meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
