Russian Federal Assembly Speaker to arrive in Islamabad today

Russian Speaker Valentina Matvienko arrives in Islamabad today to strengthen diplomatic relations with Pakistan.

Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko will arrive in Islamabad for three day official visit today.

This visit is expected to mark a pivotal moment in the growing diplomatic and parliamentary ties between the two nations.

During her stay, Valentina Matvienko is scheduled to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif besides addressing a special session of the Senate tomorrow.

This visit, featuring significant discussions and strategic engagements, underscores the commitment of both nations to fostering stronger relations.

Ealier, The Pakistan-Russia joint counter-terrorism exercise, Druzhba-VII, concluded on Friday with a closing ceremony at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, where military officials from both nations lauded the exercise as a successful demonstration of tactical skills and inter-military cooperation.

The two-week exercise, which commenced on October 13, involved special forces from the Pakistan Army and a contingent of 54 Russian troops, who participated in training drills and counter-terrorism techniques, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Inspector General Training & Evaluation, attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest, while Russian Ambassador Albert P. Khorev also observed the proceedings. "The troops displayed the highest standards of professionalism," ISPR noted, praising the collaboration as instrumental in refining tactical procedures.

The exercise, the seventh bilateral engagement of its kind, focused on enhancing skills and sharing expertise in counter-terrorism. "This joint training enhances our historic ties and strengthens our shared commitment to combating terrorism," said an official statement.

Druzhba-VII underscored Pakistan and Russia's evolving military ties, offering a platform for both nations to benefit from each other’s specialised experience in counter-terror operations. The exercise ended with a display of advanced tactical drills, showcasing the skill and coordination developed over the fortnight.

A week ago, Pakistan and Russia have agreed to pursue a robust dialogue and strengthen cooperation in various sectors, including trade, industry, energy, connectivity, science, technology, and education, as reported by Radio Pakistan on Wednesday.

This understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Mishustin, held in Islamabad on the sidelines of the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting.

Both leaders discussed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, noting the positive momentum in Pakistan-Russia relations over the past two decades. The two prime ministers agreed to maintain close collaboration in all areas of mutual interest.

They also committed to promoting linguistic exchanges between the two countries to enhance people-to-people ties, and to fostering increased cooperation between their banking sectors to facilitate trade and investment.

Additionally, both sides expressed a desire to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to deepening political, economic, and defence ties with the Russian Federation. He also thanked Russia for supporting Pakistan's bid for BRICS membership, highlighting it as a significant step toward deeper global collaboration.

Shehbaz recalled his productive meeting with President Vladimir Putin in July in Astana, during which both leaders had agreed on the need to meaningfully enhance relations between their countries. He also stressed the importance of establishing direct flights between Russia and Pakistan to improve connectivity.

The Russian PM praised Pakistan's outstanding arrangements for the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting. He expressed gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their warm welcome and exemplary hospitality extended to him and the Russian delegation.

Mishustin reiterated his desire to further elevate the existing cooperation between Russia and Pakistan to new heights.