PM holds over three-hour-long meeting with Russia\u2019s Putin; discusses Islamophobia, Afghanistan, other \u2018important matters\u2019
\n MOSCOW
\nPrime Minister Imran Khan Thursday regretted the latest Kyiv-Moscow conflict and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict, as he held a long meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
\nThe president and the prime minister\u2019s meeting lasted for more than three hours, during which they discussed Islamophobia, Afghanistan, bilateral, regional, and South Asian issues, among other \u201cimportant matters\u201d, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
\nPM Imran Khan arrived in Moscow on a two-day official visit yesterday, where he was received at the airport by Russia\u2019s deputy foreign minister and presented with a guard of honour at the airport.
\nThe prime minister, according to a statement from the PM Office, stressed that conflict was not in anyone\u2019s interest and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict
\n\u201cPakistan believes that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,\u201d the prime minister told the Russian president.
\nBilateral relations to bolster
\n\u200bRecalling the telephone conversations during the recent months between the two leaders, the prime minister expressed confidence that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations will continue to move forward in the future.
\nHe added that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.
\nThe prime minister reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects.
\nPM Imran Khan underscored Pakistan\u2019s commitment to forging a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.
\nAverting Afghanistan\u2019s potential economic crisis
\n\u200bIn the regional context, the prime minister underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan.
\nThe premier reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan.
\nIn this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
\nSituation in IOJK
\n\u200bOn the situation in South Asia, the prime minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
\nThe prime minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.
\nRising trends of Islamophobia
\nExpressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the prime minister emphasised the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence.
\nAppreciating President Putin\u2019s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the prime minister said that interfaith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.
\nMeeting with deputy PM
\nAfter meeting President Putin, the premier and a delegation met Russia\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Valentinovich Novak and Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Nikolay Shulginov.
\nEarlier in the day, PM Imran Khan had laid a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow in a tribute to the casualties of World War II.
\n\u2018Pakistan to keep balanced, sovereign foreign policy\u2019
\nSpeaking to a Pakistani media outlet, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Islamabad did not want a halt in its bilateral relations with Russia and wanted to bolster them.
\n\u201cThe prime minister and the Russian president discussed global issues,\u201d Chaudhry said, noting that Pakistan will be keeping a balanced and sovereign foreign policy.
\n\u201cWe have close ties with Russia and the United States of America […] we will not be dictated into severing ties with any nation,\u201d the information minister said.
\nThe information minister said Pakistan would keep its interest at the forefront. He added that PM Imran Khan\u2019s next tour would be to Europe.
\nFM Qureshi meets Russian counterpart
\nSeparately, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov discussed important regional and global issues amid the Moscow-Kyiv crisis.
\nDuring the meeting, Pakistan and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations, with FM Qureshi assuring his counterpart that Islamabad gives importance to its relationship with Moscow.
\n\u201cPakistan attaches special importance to bilateral relations with Russia […] relations between Pakistan and Russia have gradually strengthened,\u201d FM Qureshi said while speaking on the occasion.
\nThe foreign minister said Pakistan is pursuing the agenda of promoting economic priorities and regional ties under the vision of PM Imran Khan.
\nThe two leaders discussed important regional and global issues, including bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
\nLater, Lavrov congratulated FM Qureshi and Pakistani leadership for successfully conducting the extraordinary Organisation of Islamic Cooperation\u2019s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers session on Afghanistan.
\nRussian foreign minister also expressed best wishes regarding the upcoming meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad next month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PM holds over three-hour-long meeting with Russia\u2019s Putin; discusses Islamophobia, Afghanistan, other \u2018important matters\u2019 MOSCOW Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday regretted the latest Kyiv-Moscow conflict and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict, as he held a long meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president and the prime minister\u2019s meeting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":246302,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[1512,338,2611,456],"class_list":{"0":"post-246284","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news","8":"tag-conflict","9":"tag-russia","10":"tag-tensions","11":"tag-ukraine"},"yoast_head":"\n