Russia Consulate suspends visa services in Karachi

The visa services at the Russian consulate in Karachi will remain suspended due to some technical reasons, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

In its message for the residents of the city, the consulate said on Monday that the services would remain suspended between February 20 and February 26.

The consulate further said that those planning to travel to Russia could apply for visas from February 27 onwards.  

A few days ago, Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert P Khorev has said that Russia and Pakistan will focus on cooperation in energy and industry, including the modernisation of the Karachi Steel Mills, agriculture, and transport, in 2025.

Russia stands ready to intensify cooperation with Pakistan on the use of international transport corridors "North-South" and "Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan", the ambassador said last week.

In this context, the modernisation of the Quetta-Taftan railway line is currently being considered, and increasing maritime cargo transportation also holds promise, he said and added Russia and Pakistan are committed to strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan and countering terrorist threats emanating from its territory. "We support Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and reaffirm our focus on strengthening constructive cooperation with Pakistan and Afghanistan," he said.

Russian envoy said that dialogue on a wide range of common concerns and challenges is already underway within the Moscow Format of Consultations and other multilateral fora that bring together Afghanistan's neighbours.

Reporter: Syed Zubair Rashid