Fatemi, Russian Deputy PM Overchuk explore energy, steel, and connectivity partnerships
MOSCOW: In a major diplomatic push to deepen ties, a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi held pivotal talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk in Moscow on Thursday.
The Pakistani team included SAPM on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, who also serves as the focal person for the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills — a flagship legacy of Pakistan-Russia cooperation.
The meeting saw both sides conducting a wide-ranging review of bilateral relations, covering political, trade, economic, energy, industrial, agricultural, and connectivity sectors.
Fatemi emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Russia, calling Moscow a “stabilising force” on the global stage and a strategic foreign policy priority for Islamabad.
Haroon Akhtar spotlighted the symbolic and strategic importance of the Karachi Steel Mills revival project, describing it as a “leap forward” in bilateral cooperation. He also presented Pakistan’s investment-friendly industrial policy, highlighting ongoing macroeconomic reforms and growth incentives.
Deputy PM Overchuk, flanked by senior Russian ministers, fondly recalled his past visits to Pakistan and meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, especially on the sidelines of SCO summits in 2024.
Calling Pakistan and Russia “natural allies,” Overchuk said President Vladimir Putin views Pakistan as a key partner in fostering regional economic growth and energy collaboration. He underlined Russia’s commitment to joint connectivity ventures like the pilot cargo train route launching this August and railway corridors linking Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia.
The two sides also exchanged views on major regional and global issues, including South Asia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, and reaffirmed collaboration at multilateral platforms.
Concluding the meeting, Overchuk conveyed President Putin’s keen interest in advancing ties and shared that he looks forward to meeting PM Shehbaz Sharif at the upcoming SCO-Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin, China, later in August.
