Russian team visits North Waziristan

It is quite heartening to note that Deputy Colonel General Israkov Sergi Yuryevich has headed a Russian military delegation that visited North Waziristan Agency on Thursday. The Russian delegation was briefed about the Pakistan-Afghanistan border management as well as the socio-economic development projects that had been undertaken in the area. After being briefed about Pakistan Army's efforts to root out and drive militants from Fata, the Russian military delegation appreciated Pakistan Army's role in fighting terrorism and bringing stability in the region.
That Russians have a strong appreciation of Pakistan's efforts towards eliminating extremism and terrorism is a fact. Russians have better understanding of the challenges that Pakistan and Afghanistan face because they had, under the then Soviet Union, remained engaged in Afghanistan in a bloody conflict in the 1980s. No doubt, they have deep insights into the current political upheavals in Afghanistan. Since some of Russia's 'Near Abroad' is contiguous to Afghanistan it has every reason to play a meaningful role in efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability to the region.