A delegation led by SAPM on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, and SAPM on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, called on Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk in Moscow.

The sides reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations, including political, trade and economic cooperation, as well as energy, connectivity, industrial, and agricultural cooperation.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said Pakistan attached high importance to the new Steel Mills in Karachi, as the project carried an important legacy of Pakistan’s relations with Russia. He added that it could serve as a “leap forward” symbol of future cooperation and partnership.

Characterizing Pakistan and Russia as “natural allies,” DPM Overchuk stressed that President Putin considered Pakistan an important partner in the growth and development of the economy and energy in the region. The Deputy Prime Minister also shared that President Putin was greatly looking forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the forthcoming SCO-Council of Heads of State in Tianjin, China, in late August this year.