Amid criticism from various quarters, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has defended the timing of Prime Minister Imran Khan's official visit to Russia and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, highlighting Russia's 'geo-economic' importance in the region. The PM's trip has raised eyebrows since it coincided with Russia's invasion into neighbouring Ukraine.
"Russia being onboard will fortify our [shift in] focus towards geo-economic regional connectivity," Qureshi affirmed. "If we have to move towards regional connectivity, then Russia has an historical role [...] in this region."
"We went ahead and I am convinced after this visit that we did the right thing in going ahead," Qureshi concluded, adding that Russia would play a key role in Pakistan's foreign affairs in Central Asia.
As PM Imran toured Moscow, visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which commemorates Soviet soldiers killed in World War II, Russia mounted an intense attack on Ukraine, engulfing the country in bombs and flames as weary citizens chose whether to flee or take cover.
Later, the prime minister held a three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to discuss bilateral issues, including energy cooperation, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
A statement from the prime minister's office indicated that the premier had expressed his 'regret' at the current situation between Russia and Ukraine.
"Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict,” the statement read. "The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict.”
Both sides also reported that they had 'resolved 90 per cent' of the negotiations related to the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP), the 1,100-km-long gas pipeline to be built in Pakistan for a reported $2.5 billion.
"The prime minister reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects," the statement noted.
The prime minister returned to Islamabad on Friday. His visit marked the first time in 23 years a Pakistani prime minister had visited Russia.
"Russia being onboard will fortify our [shift in] focus towards geo-economic regional connectivity," Qureshi affirmed. "If we have to move towards regional connectivity, then Russia has an historical role [...] in this region."
"We went ahead and I am convinced after this visit that we did the right thing in going ahead," Qureshi concluded, adding that Russia would play a key role in Pakistan's foreign affairs in Central Asia.
As PM Imran toured Moscow, visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which commemorates Soviet soldiers killed in World War II, Russia mounted an intense attack on Ukraine, engulfing the country in bombs and flames as weary citizens chose whether to flee or take cover.
Later, the prime minister held a three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to discuss bilateral issues, including energy cooperation, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
A statement from the prime minister's office indicated that the premier had expressed his 'regret' at the current situation between Russia and Ukraine.
"Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict,” the statement read. "The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict.”
Both sides also reported that they had 'resolved 90 per cent' of the negotiations related to the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP), the 1,100-km-long gas pipeline to be built in Pakistan for a reported $2.5 billion.
"The prime minister reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects," the statement noted.
The prime minister returned to Islamabad on Friday. His visit marked the first time in 23 years a Pakistani prime minister had visited Russia.