Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s on sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Premier arrived in Samarkand on a two-day trip where he will attend 22nd annual meeting of Council of Heads of State (CHS) of SCO. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Defence Minister Khwaja Asif are also accompanying him. Uzbekistan PM Abdulla Aripov received prime minister upon his arrival at airport. On first day of his visit, premier met President Vladimir Putin. Two leaders discussed bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

During meeting, Putin said that pipeline gas supplies to Pakistan were possible, revealing that necessary infrastructures were already in place, according to state-owned news agency RIA. A press release issued by Foreign Office said that prime minister expressed satisfaction at steady growth of Pakistan-Russia relations, which were marked by strong mutual trust and understanding. “He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with Russia to further expand and strengthen cooperation between two countries across all areas of mutual benefit including food security, trade and investment, energy, defence, and security,” it stated.  Later, PM Shehbaz met Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi. Two leaders acknowledged moving forward positive trajectory of bilateral relations. PM also met President of Tajikistan Emamoli Rahmon, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said “both leaders agreed to bolster and expand scope of mutually beneficial fraternal ties.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 16 2022

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