Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that relations between Islamabad and Moscow are independent and there is a need to develop bilateral cooperation.
“Our relationship is based on our own strength, neither our relationship is affected by the geopolitical situation nor our relationship with other countries,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is currently in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, to attend a dual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State and the SCO.
Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the need to resolve other financial and banking issues to expand barter trade between Pakistan and Russia.
In a special meeting with the Russian President today, he said that Pakistan has a long-standing business relationship with Russia. He said that Pakistan imports a lot of machinery and goods from Russia and exports textile and leather products in barter trade.
The Prime Minister also said that the two countries could develop a trade of one billion dollars.
He also praised Russia for promoting cooperation in the energy sector at the request of Russia’s top leaders. He also said that oil was being sent from Pakistan to Russia and further action was required in this regard.
Regarding bilateral relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that these relations have been on a positive path in recent years and this is a great comfort for both countries.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister said that he wants to work closely with President Putin to further strengthen bilateral relations.
During his visit to Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Shehbaza was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, high-ranking members of ministers and officials.
The Prime Minister will present Pakistan’s views on important regional and global issues at the GCC Summit. The Prime Minister’s press release also said that he will address the SCO summit.
It will present Pakistan’s position on regional and global issues, emphasizing the importance of global organizations for the well-being of the people of the GCC region.