ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan is interested in buying gas from Russia whereas the Russian side has shown interest in developing an LNG terminal in Gwadar.
Briefing media persons in Islamabad on Friday about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Moscow visit, the foreign minister described the visit as very important, and said that Pakistan desires to import gas from Russia.
The foreign minister said that we are an energy deficient Country and want a long term government to government arrangement with Russia on this matter. He said that the extension of Russian pipeline in Kazakhstan to Pakistan via Afghanistan will help meet our future energy requirements.
The minister said that the talks in Moscow focused on a host of issues including promoting trade, investment and energy cooperation.
Constructive visit to Russia led by PM @ImranKhanPTI where our focus was on wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional & international issues of mutual interest reflecting the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations. Pleased to meet FM Lavrov. pic.twitter.com/B18HFGq13B
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 25, 2022
The foreign minister said that the Russian investors have expressed interest to attend the Investment Conference to be held next month in Islamabad.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan’s shift to geo-economics and regional connectivity will get impetus through enhanced relations with Russia.
Qureshi pointed out the relations between Pakistan and Russia are on upward trajectory over the last few years. He said that Pakistan wants to forge a long term multidimensional relationship with Russia.
Rejecting the impression that the visit was not well timed given the situation in Ukraine, the foreign minister said that he is convinced that it was the right decision which has increased the diplomatic space of Pakistan. He said that the decision of Moscow visit was taken after thorough deliberations including with former diplomats.
The foreign minister reiterated that Pakistan desires relationship with all the Countries and is not and will not become part of any bloc politics.
On #Ukraine, PM @ImranKhanPTI has shared his belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy – conflict is not in anyone’s interest. In terms of evacuations of the Pakistani community, @PakinUkraine is working round the clock to ensure safe evacuation.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 25, 2022
