Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan does not want to be part of any international bloc as military conflicts do not solve the problems while stressing the need for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis.

Speaking in an interview with Russia TV, Imran Khan maintained the prevailing Ukraine crisis would be resolved peacefully as the consequences of the looming situation would have a direct impact on the developing countries in form of a shortage of food supply and soaring oil prices.

As Russia ordered troops to enter disputed regions in eastern Ukraine, Imran Khan said it is insane to have conflict, with an idea to have people die. The last thing that Pakistan wants "is the world divided into blocs," he reiterated.

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He said the consequences of such conflict for the developing world will be disastrous which is already trying to reel from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the skyrocketing inflation.

The prime minister said that greater cooperation between the US, China and Russia will benefit mankind much more than the conflict. He also hinted at strengthening bilateral relations with Russia and that he looks forward to his Moscow visit.

Commenting on peace in the region, Imran Khan said the incumbent government first approached India after coming to power in order to resolve the outstanding Kashmir dispute. He, however, lamented that New Delhi has been taken over the racist ideology inspired by Nazis.

Pakistan wants to establish trading relations with all other countries to lift people out of poverty rather than becoming part of any international bloc, he stressed.

"Pakistan is a gas deficient country," he highlighted, stating that the country's North-South Gas pipeline has suffered a delay because of the US sanctions on the Russian company "we were negotiating for the construction of the pipeline."

He further added the lifting of sanctions on Iran will also help Pakistan get the cheapest gas from the neighbouring country.

To a question, PM Imran Khan said climate change and illicit flow of money from poor countries to the developed world are the two major challenges faced by the world. He said the western countries should frame laws as they have on terror financing to check the illicit flows.

Imran Khan to visit Russia from Feb 23-24

At the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay an official visit to Russia on 23-24 Feb, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including members of the Cabinet. The bilateral summit will be the highlight of the visit.

Khan will become the first Pakistani premier to visit Russia in 23 years after former premier Nawaz Sharif travelled to Moscow in 1999.

Pakistan and Russia enjoy friendly relations marked by mutual respect, trust and convergence of views on a range of international and regional issues.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that during the summit meeting, the two leaders will review the entire array of bilateral relations including energy cooperation.

They will also have a wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, including Islamophobia and the situation in Afghanistan.

The visit of the Prime Minister will contribute to further deepening of the multifaceted Pakistan-Russia bilateral relationship and enhancement of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

Last year in Dec, the premier in a tweet praised Russian President Putting for taking a stance on the rising Islamophobia in western countries.

 “I welcome President Putin's statement which reaffirms my message that insulting our Holy Prophet PBUH is not "freedom of expression". We Muslims, esp Muslim leaders, must spread this message to leaders of the non-Muslim world to counter Islamophobia.”

Pakistan established diplomatic and bilateral relations with the then Soviet Union on 1 May 1948. On May 1, 2018, Pakistan celebrated the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Russia.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview with Russia Today (RT)—Russia’s state run television—emphasized on the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis. Imran khan said he was looking forward to meeting President Vladimir Putin. 

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