PM Shehbaz calls for expanded trade, energy ties with Russia

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for broadening Pakistan-Russia cooperation in trade and investment, energy, and economic development, as visiting Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev held a series of high-level meetings in the federal capital and Rawalpindi.

Receiving Kolokoltsev, the prime minister welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations and said both countries should build on it to strengthen cooperation further.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its friendly ties with Russia and to making effective use of existing bilateral mechanisms to advance mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Russian minister is in Pakistan on a four-day visit at the invitation of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the first-ever visit to the country by a Russian interior minister.

Security cooperation

Kolokoltsev also met Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed regional security and matters of mutual interest, with emphasis on stronger bilateral security cooperation, closer institutional ties and better coordination between the two countries’ security institutions.

Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen longstanding relations with Russia and expand practical cooperation, particularly in security. The visiting minister praised Pakistan’s contribution to regional peace and stability and acknowledged the professionalism and sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.

Extradition treaty, organised crime

Earlier, in his meeting with Naqvi, Kolokoltsev pledged to sign an MoU on cooperation in preventing organised crime and exchanging information, according to the interior ministry.

At the delegation-level talks that followed, the two sides agreed to finalise an extradition treaty and an agreement on the exchange of criminals, ensure early implementation of a readmission agreement, enhance cooperation between the Anti-Narcotics Force and relevant Russian institutions, and convene working group meetings in the near future.

They also discussed sending skilled Pakistani manpower to Russia and easing visa procedures for tourists and the business community.

Naqvi said a relaxed visa regime would boost people-to-people contact, and expressed interest in learning from Russia’s experience in tackling cybercrime. He noted that some 1,300 Pakistani students are currently studying in Russia, and that Pakistan wants that number to grow.

Kolokoltsev said joint action was essential to prevent all forms of organised crime, including terrorism, drug trafficking and illegal migration, adding that Russia had cut cybercrime by 33 percent through effective measures.

Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry, the Russian ambassador to Pakistan, and senior interior ministry officials also attended the meeting.