Pak-Russia partnership viable for regional peace, stability: PM Abbasi

• Says Pakistan’s struggle is to secure peace in the entire world

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday said that a strong partnership between Pakistan and Russia would contribute towards promoting peace, stability and regional cooperation.

“Pakistan desires to forge a long-term and multi-faceted partnership with Russia in all areas of cooperation, including trade and energy sectors,” he told State Duma of Russian Federation Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, who along with a delegation called on him, the PM office media wing said in a statement. The prime minister said that Pakistan attached high priority to its relations with Russia.

PM said that there existed a huge potential between the two countries to further enhance their trade volume and strengthen bilateral economic ties. Welcoming the chairman of State Duma to Pakistan, he observed that the six-party conference of the speakers was a useful platform to regularly interact and enhance cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, regional security and connectivity.

National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon, MNA Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar and senior officers were present during the meeting.

Highlighting the counter-terrorism efforts of the country, PM Abbasi emphasised that Pakistan had paid the heaviest price in the global war against terrorism. “Our struggle was to secure peace not only in the region but in the entire world,” he added.

He said that Pakistan had interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan and believed that there was no military solution to the conflict in the neighbouring country. “We will continue to support an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led solution in Afghanistan,” the statement quoted the prime minister as saying.

He also highlighted the issue of the drug trade in the region, which he said was the greatest threat to peace as being the source of funding for the terrorist activities.

Vyacheslav Volodin thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and said enhanced trade ties between the two countries would serve to provide a solid base for forging greater cooperation and strengthening of bilateral relations.

The Russian dignitary also appreciated the role of NA speaker towards strengthening of Pak-Russia relations through a  parliamentary forum. He conveyed a strong desire of his country for establishing long-term and strengthened relations with Pakistan.

Later, the prime minister hosted a dinner in honour of visiting speakers from Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia and Turkey.

Earlier, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq stressed the need for regular interaction between the political and parliamentary leadership of Pakistan and Russia to build the bridges of understanding and friendship.

Talking to his Russian counterpart, the NA speaker said that Pakistan considers Russia as a valuable friend who had been a partner in economic and infrastructural development in Pakistan. He added that constant engagement from both sides had added depth to the existing relations.

“Pakistan and Russia not only share the same continent but also the same values of democracy and human freedom, therefore, both the nations need to take their bilateral relationship to new heights,” he said. He said Pakistan valued its relations with Russia and wanted to diversify them through parliamentary, people-to-people and economic ties.

He said joint efforts by both countries were needed for regional peace and progress.

The speaker said illicit drug trade had largely remained unchecked and was the major source of terror financing.

Vyacheslav Volodin congratulated the speaker on holding the conference in Pakistan devoted to connectivity and fight against terrorism with the participation of Pakistan, Iran, China, Turkey, and Afghanistan.

He also appreciated the arrangements made in connection with the conference.

He said that Pak-Russia cooperation was central to tackling regional challenges including terrorism, drug trafficking and regional stability. He added that drug trafficking was a major threat and needed joint efforts in this regard to save the future of our coming generations.

The Russian official said that Russia attached immense importance to its relations with Pakistan, and assured that Russia was ready to assist Pakistan in diverse fields including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, defence and education.