PM Imran holds one-on-one meeting with Russian President Putin

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held on Thursday a one-on-one meeting in Moscow with a wide-ranging agenda in focus relating to bilateral matters and regional issues.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the two leaders held "wide-ranging consultations" on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

"​Recalling the telephone conversations during the recent months between the two leaders, the prime minister expressed confidence that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations will continue to move forward in the future," the handout said.

PM Imran expressed the hope that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects.

The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forging a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.

In the regional context, the Prime Minister underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan.

"The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful, and connected Afghanistan. The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan. In this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation," PMO said.

On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Prime Minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.

"The Prime Minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict," PMO said.

"The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy."

The premier also expressed concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world.

"Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that interfaith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies," PMO said.

Earlier on his arrival at Kremlin, PM Imran was welcomed by President Putin.

Both leaders were scheduled to discuss bilateral relations, especially cooperation in the energy sector. Khan was expected to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

Arrival in Russia: PM accorded red carpet welcome

Khan's trip to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss issues including economic cooperation comes hours after a number of Western nations hit Russia with new sanctions for its military deployment into parts of eastern Ukraine.

It is pertinent to mention here that PM Imran's two-day visit was planned before the current crisis over Ukraine.

In an interview ahead of his trip, Khan had expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine and the possibility of new sanctions and their effect on Islamabad's budding cooperation with Moscow.

Earlier on Thursday, Fawad refuted rumours floating around that Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Russia was being cancelled after Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine on Thursday in what appeared to be the start of war in Europe over Russia's demands for an end to NATO's eastward expansion

In a tweet, the minister said speculations about the PM's visit were misplaced.

"The visit is proceeding and PM will return to Pakistan tonight as per schedule," he tweeted.

Fawad added that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party were scared of PM's visit to Russia because "they had a lot of money in the West".

Meanwhile, the PM also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay tribute to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II. He also laid floral wreath at the monument in Moscow.