Putin to visit Pakistan in October

Russian President Vladimir Putin

will visit Pakistan in October on the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari, sources said on Monday. During the visit of President Putin, Pakistan would simultaneously host quadrilateral meeting of presidents of Russia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan. “Date and schedule of the visit of Russian president is being worked out through the diplomatic channels”, sources told The Nation. Sources said Russia and Pakistan would discuss host of issues of bilateral interest to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. Regional issues including terrorism, extremism, security, trade and economic cooperation would also come under discussion between Pakistan and Russia. Sources were of the view that there are various specific bilateral proposals Islamabad and Moscow were working to sign a number of MoUs including expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), Karachi and cooperation in oil and gas sector. President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Russian Federation from May 11–13 and held bilateral discussions on matters of bilateral interest. During these talks enhanced cooperation between the two countries for BMRE (Balancing, Modernization, Revamping and Expansion) and capacity expansion of PSM was agreed. Ministry of Production, Government of Pakistan and Ministry of Economic Development of Russian Federation were engaged to finalize modalities related to the BMRE and capacity expansion of PSM. Similarly, sources said that Islamabad and Moscow were also working proposals to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.