PM Shehbaz Sharif postpones Russia visit amid regional, internal developments

In light of the recent regional and internal situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after due consultation, has decided to postpone his visit to Russia.

The prime minister’s visit to Russia holds immense significance for the advancement of bilateral relations between the two countries; however, in view of the prevailing circumstances, the visit has been deferred, the PM Office said in a statement.

A decision regarding the new dates for the visit will be made following mutual consultation, it added.

The development comes as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack that extended into a second day on Sunday, as the two powers seek to topple the Islamic republic, AFP reported.

READ MORE: Ayatollah Khamenei assassinated in US-Israeli airstrikes: state media

Iranian state television confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump declared that Khamenei died in the conflict that had defined his rule of Iran, and a senior Israeli official told Reuters his body had been found following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, in view of the evolving regional situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to closely monitor developments and extend all necessary assistance.

The CMU is operational 24/7, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

For information or emergency assistance, please contact the CMU: +92-51-9207887

“All Pakistani nationals residing in the Gulf region are strongly advised to exercise utmost caution, remain indoors where possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and strictly adhere to the instructions and advisories issued by the respective host governments,” the FO spokesperson said on Sunday in a press release.

READ MORE: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban forces clash

On the other hand, fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban military entered its third day on Saturday, following overnight clashes as the international community expressed increasing concern about the conflict and called for urgent talks.

Pakistan’s strikes on Friday hit Taliban military installations and posts, including in Kabul and Kandahar, in one of the deepest Pakistani incursions into its western neighbour in years, officials said.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists, who it claims are waging terrorism inside Pakistan, a charge the Taliban denies. Pakistan described its actions as a response to cross-border assaults, while Kabul denounced them as a breach of its sovereignty, saying it remained open to dialogue but warned any wider conflict would result in serious consequences. The fighting has raised the risk of a protracted conflict along the rugged 2,600-km (1,615-mile) frontier.