Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Putin discuss energy, Bilateral ties in Astana meeting

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif met Russian President Vladimir Putin, and two leaders discussed bilateral ties and cooperation.

PM Shehbaz conveyed to President Putin that the relationship between Islamabad and Moscow is independent, stressing need to further boost bilateral cooperation.

Vladimir Putin expressed Moscow’s readiness to increase energy supplies and noted that the relations between the two countries are developing positively.

Sharf met Putin and other leaders in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to participate in the twin Summits of the SCO Council of Heads of State and SCO plus. He was welcomed at the Nur Sultan Nazarbayev International Airport by Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and other officials.

‘Pakistan to advance ties with Central Asian States’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening engagement with Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, as part of its “Vision Central Asia” policy. In his meeting with Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda in Dushanbe, he emphasized the significance of regional connectivity and integration for sustainable socio-economic development.

PM also invited Tajikistan to use Karachi port for transit trade and proposed the construction of rail and road links between the two countries to enhance connectivity. He also suggested hosting a regional connectivity summit in Pakistan to facilitate trade corridors for Central Asian countries.