H.E. Mr. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Russian Federation, visited the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences today.

Ambassador Tirmizi held a meeting with Dr. Alikber Alikberov, Director of the Institute, Dr. Vyacheslav Belokrenitskiy, Head of the Middle East Study Centre, members of the Pakistan Sector, as well as other scholars.

The sides reviewed various areas of possible collaboration. The discussion also touched upon the history of oriental studies in the USSR and Russia. The participants highlighted the contribution of Professor Yuri Gankovsky to the Pakistan studies. Ambassador Tirmizi recalled his personal meeting with Professor Gankovsky back in 1995 in Moscow, adding that the works of this prominent scholar were recognized and highly valued in Pakistan.

It was also noted that three scholars from the Institute of Oriental Studies have been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, a high civil award of Pakistan.

Ambassador Tirmizi stated that his primary objective in Russia is to increase people-to-people contacts, specifically within the academic sphere. “We must have more contacts in the academia sphere,” the Ambassador said.

It was further agreed to maintain regular communication and expand cooperation through joint academic initiatives.