Pak-Russia Friendship: ‘Both countries face similar security challenges’

Pakistan and Russian have a history of love-and-hate relationship, says speakers.

ISLAMABAD:

Both Pakistan and Russia were facing similar security challenges and they should rise to the occasion to counter the menace.

This was stated by speakers at an event on Friday that was held to mark the 65 years of diplomatic ties of between the two countries at the Pakistan National Arts Council (PNCA) auditorium.

Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Russian Ambassador Andrey S Budnik, former ambassador to Russia Mohammad Khalid Khattak, Quaid-i-Azam University Associate Prof Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, President ICCI Zafar Bakhtawari and others were present on the occasion.

The speakers said that though both the countries have a history of love-and-hate relationship. The Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi could not have been set up without the support of Russia, said a speaker.

Mohammad Khalid Khattak said that international politics of the cold war era was the main cause of ups and downs in the relationship of both the two countries.

Budnik, “Our relations with Asian countries are of a friendly nature and we are proudly celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Russia and Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2013.