ISLAMABAD – Russia has expressed keen desire to carry out multiple megaprojects in Pakistan including North South Pipeline, Steel Industry andRailways Network.
Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala Tuesday said Russia wanted todevelop relations with Pakistan, take part in its development projects ofgas and steel and play a broader role in the region.
Speaking at a press conference at Parliament House here, he said, “Superpowers wanted to realign in the region and Russia wanted to get involved inthe politics of the region. Clearly it wanted to play a role in the region.”
Giving details of the Speakers Conference in Russia attended by a fourmember delegation of Senators led by him, he said regional issues wereraised at the conference attended by 148 delegates of 40 countries.
Saleem Mandviwala said participation in parliamentarian conferences hadraised the profile of Pakistan and countries like Russia were now engagingPakistan.
He mentioned that Russians were eager that Pakistani delegation should comewhich showed that Parliaments of the two countries were coming together.The Deputy Chairman said parliamentary diplomacy was very important andcould resolve issues related to executive.
To a question, he said Russian President once stated “if you are friend ofChina you are friend of Russia” and it showed that relations of Pakistanwith China and Russia were at the same level. Russia wanted to do more inPakistan whether it was north south gas pipelines or steel mills or QuettaTaftan railways.
“They are all out to develop relationship with Pakistan.” He said theSpeaker of Afghanistan took up issues related to his country and thePakistani delegation endorsed his views and extended its support. TheAfghan representative said with the support of Parliament of Pakistan, thetwo countries could resolve their problems and become good friends, herecalled.
Saleem Mandviwala said the issue of Kashmir was also raised by thePakistani delegation and Islamic and other countries supported their standand stated that Kashmir issue should be resolved.