Prime Minister Imran Khan had a Summit meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin in the Kremlin Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Recalling 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.

He said that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects. The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forge a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.

In the regional context, the Prime Minister underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan.

In 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).

On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The 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.

The Prime Minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict. The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict.

He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.​​Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence. Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that inter-faith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.

The Russian President also hosted a luncheon for Prime Minister Imran Khan. Earlier on his arrival at Kremlin, the Prime Minister was warmly received by the Russian President.

The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf and Member of the National Assembly Amir Mahmood Kiyani. This is the first bilateral visit by a Pakistani Prime Minister to Russia after a gap of 23 years and is being termed as a historic step to renew relations between the two countries.

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PM Imran had reached Moscow yesterday (Feb 23, 2022) on a two-day visit. 

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Both leaders are meeting right on the day Russia has launched air strikes on neighbouring Ukraine.

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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay tribute to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II.

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The Prime Minister, who is on a two-day official visit to Russia, laid floral wreath at the monument in Moscow.

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Members of the Prime Minister's delegation were also present on the occasion.

Pakistan and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations.

This understanding was reached during a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow today (Thursday).

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They discussed important regional and global issues, including bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Talking on the occasion, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan attaches special importance to bilateral relations with Russia. He said relations between Pakistan and Russia have gradually strengthened.

He said that Pakistan is pursuing the agenda of promoting economic priorities and regional ties under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

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The Russian Foreign Minister congratulated Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pakistani leadership on the successful conduct of extraordinary OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan and also expressed best wishes regarding upcoming meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad next month.