RAWALPINDI – Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov called on Chief ofArmy Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ on Wednesday.

According to the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), during the meeting,matters of mutual interest including enhanced defence and securitycooperation, regional security, particularly the Afghan Peace Process werediscussed.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged Pakistan’s achievements in the waragainst terrorism and contributions for regional peace and stabilityespecially Pakistan’s sincere efforts in the Afghan Peace Process.

He expressed that Pak-Russia relations are on a positive trajectory andwill continue to develop in multiple domains.

COAS said that Pakistan values its relations with Russia and reciprocatesthe desire for enhanced bilateral military cooperation.

Pakistan welcomes all initiatives which can bring peace and stability inAfghanistan as the whole region will benefit from it, COAS emphasized.

“We have no hostile designs towards any country and will keep on workingtowards a cooperative regional framework based on sovereign equality andmutual progress,” COAS concluded.PM Imran expresses satisfaction on growing ties with Russia

Earlier today, the Russian foreign minister who reached Pakistan yesterdayon two-day long visit,linkcalledon Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss matter ranging from bilateral tiesto regional and global issues.

Reiterating the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with Russiaas a key foreign policy priority, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressedsatisfaction at the at the steady growth in bilateral ties with Moscow.

Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations and issues of regional and globalimportance were discussed during the meeting. .

The premier recalled his interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putinduring the SCO Summit in Bishkek in June 2019, where he had underscored hisdesire to take the bilateral relationship to a new level.

PM Khan also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to expeditiously conclude therequisite legal process for the “Pakistan Stream” (North-South) GasPipeline project and commence the work as early as possible.

Enhanced bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, industrialmodernization, railways and aviation was also discussed in the meeting.

It was agreed that the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), due to meet inMoscow later this year, would closely pursue specific proposals andprojects in this context.