PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Iqbal Zafar Jhagra Tuesday said that the establishment of an honorary consulate office of the Russian Federation in Peshawar is a sign of the beginning of a new chapter of renewed diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“The new development shows that both Pakistan and Russia are looking at each other as complementary partners for regional balance, growth and partnership to ensure the wellbeing of their respective citizens,” Jhagra said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Russian Federation at Peshawar as a chief guest.
Besides, the ceremony was also attended by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Pakistan, Honorary Consul General of Russian Federation in Peshawar Muhammad Arsala Khan and a number of local dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
The governor said that indeed Russian and Pakistan have entered a new phase of diplomatic relations with the opening of the Russian honorary consulate in the provincial capital.
He mentioned the progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and said that it would be of tremendous help in further strengthening the bonds of economic relations in this part of the world in particular.
Historically, he said, this whole area from Trans-Kazakhstan to Oxus River and onward to Pamir mountains was the gateway for bringing and shaping cultures, religious fervour and trade.
“With this renewed recourse of history in mind, the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) and CPEC projects are expected to bolster the process of regional trade through people to people contact,” Jhagra said.
He wished that the honorary consulate would prove helpful in promoting educational and business opportunities for the people of both the countries.