ISLAMABAD – Russian Ambassador to Pakistan, Alexey Dedov thanked Pakistaniauthorities on behalf of the Russian government for rescuing the Russianmountaineer Alexander Gukov stranded in a northern peak.

In a meeting with Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, theenvoy said that Russia is highly grateful to Pakistan, especially the braveand qualified pilots who managed to locate and rescue Alexander Gukovstranded at a steep slope on the Latok 1 mountain peak at a height of20,650 feet after an intense and difficult helicopter mission and shiftedto CMH Skardu.

The meeting was held in the chamber of deputy chairman Senate here at theParliament House on Tuesday where the envoy made a courtesy call to him.

The ambassador apprised the deputy chairman that the mountaineers unlikeother Russian tourists do not bring it into the knowledge of the Russianembassy before going on their climbing ventures.

Deputy chairman Senate observed that it might be a better way to have aproper registration and making it obligatory to go on climbing with somelocal guides.

The meeting discussed cooperation between the two countries for redoing thesteel mill, taking the IP gas pipeline forward as well other outstandingmatters like textile dispute among other memorandums and agreements.

Senator Saleem Mandviwala assured the ambassador of all out support of theSenate of Pakistan to take the parliamentary, economic and defencecooperation forward with the new government taking power.

Deputy chairman Senate remarked that Pakistan wants the historicrelationship with Russia to proceed ahead and make more frequent exchangesat government, parliamentary and military level as well as doing more jointventures to foster growth.