ISLAMABAD – PM designate Imran Khan has expressed keen interest inenhancing the bilateral ties with Russia.

He expressed the desire in a meeting with the Russianambassador to PakistanAlexey Dedov.

The Ambassador on Thursday called on prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khanat his Bani Gala residence where he stressed the need for improved tiesbetween the two countries.

Dedov said that the military exercises between the two countries had beensuccessfully conducted in 2017 and 2016.

The envoy was also grateful to the Pakistani pilots who saved a Russianclimber’s life trapped on the Karakoram range’s peak recently.

The Russian ambassador conveyed that Russian President Vladimir Putinwishes to improve relations with Pakistan. He said that Russia wants tofoster economic cooperation and people-to-people contact as well.

Moscow stands by Islamabad in the fight against terrorism and its effortsto maintain peace in Afghanistan, he added.

While Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supremo Imran Khan said that thePakistan also wants to improve bilateral ties with Russia.

He invited Russian drilling companies to start their operations in thecountry.