Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a recent meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, emphasized the potential for strengthened cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in trade, investment, and diplomatic relations. Held in Islamabad, the meeting focused on deepening economic collaboration through enhanced banking channels, which both leaders highlighted as a critical factor for facilitating smoother trade flows and boosting investment opportunities. Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his well-wishes to Russian President Vladimir Putin and extended an invitation for him to visit Pakistan, underlining the growing importance of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The conversation revolved around establishing a structured roadmap for Pakistan-Russia economic cooperation, which is expected to be further defined at the upcoming Pakistan-Russia Joint Commission meeting set for December. Prime Minister Sharif expressed optimism about the commission’s potential to open new avenues for economic partnership and to set actionable goals for bilateral trade enhancement.
During a separate session with Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, Speaker Matviyenko reiterated Russia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan across trade, investment, and diplomatic sectors. She underscored that bolstering banking channels and parliamentary connections could facilitate deeper collaboration and foster people-to-people connections between Pakistan and Russia.
The meetings highlighted Russia’s support for infrastructural growth in Pakistan, particularly within the oil and gas sectors, while Pakistan welcomed Russia’s contributions to its economic and infrastructural development. These high-level discussions set a positive tone for the forthcoming Joint Commission meeting, where the groundwork laid could evolve into impactful initiatives that elevate Pakistan-Russia trade and investment partnerships.