Pakistan PM Seeks Stronger Ties with Russia in Trade, Energy and Investment

October 14, 2026 at 8:40 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the need to expand cooperation with Russia across areas of mutual interest, particularly trade and investment, energy, and economic development.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed these views during a meeting with Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the PM House’s media wing on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in Pakistan-Russia relations and emphasised the importance of building on this momentum to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further deepening its friendly relations with the Russian Federation and making effective use of existing bilateral mechanisms to advance mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Russian Interior Minister conveyed Russia’s desire to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas of shared interest.

Appreciating Pakistan’s support at various multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, PM Sharif also highlighted the significant potential for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.

He expressed his country’s readiness to work closely with Pakistan to further enhance bilateral engagement.

The Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strengthening Cooperation in Combating Organised Crime.

Pakistan, Russia agree to boost trade

Earlier, Pakistan and Russia agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, culture and tourism, strengthening people-to-people ties.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Dar expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in Pakistan–Russia relations, welcoming recent high-level visits and exchanges.

The two sides vowed to maintain close cooperation at multilateral fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

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Russia appreciates Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability and acknowledged the professionalism and sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism, the military’s media wing said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest and the regional security environment, with particular emphasis on strengthening bilateral security cooperation, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Pakistan, Russia agree to boost cooperation on crime prevention

Russian Interior Minister also held a separate meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during which the two countries agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across various fields, including prevention of crimes.

Both the leaders decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on information sharing to combat organised crime, finalise agreements on extradition and criminal transfers, and ensure early implementation of the Readmission Agreement.

They also agreed to enhance cooperation between Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force and relevant Russian agencies.

Both sides agreed that working groups from the Interior Ministries of the two countries will soon visit each other’s countries.

Discussions were held on sending skilled manpower from Pakistan to Russia, as well as simplifying visa procedures for tourists and the business community.

Both the leaders agreed to enhance cooperation between Pakistan’s National Police Academy and Russia’s Police Academy.

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a four-day official visit to Pakistan, aiming to strengthen bilateral security cooperation between the two countries.

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