Moscow (Shahid Ghumman) The Moscow–Islamabad Media Forum, held in the Russian capital, featured detailed discussions on the rapidly expanding Pakistan–Russia relationship, regional security, and cooperation in the information sphere. The forum was organized in the context of the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Moscow.
Addressing the forum, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said that bilateral relations are moving in a positive direction, with both countries keen to expand cooperation across multiple sectors. He noted significant growth in political, economic, defense, educational, and people-to-people contacts in recent years.
He stated that multiple meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin reflect the continuity of high-level diplomatic engagement, adding that the forthcoming meeting would mark the fifth important leadership-level interaction between the two countries.
The Ambassador also announced that a Pakistan–Russia Business Forum would be held during the Prime Minister’s visit, bringing together more than 100 Pakistani companies to meet their Russian counterparts in order to ensure tangible progress in trade, investment, and energy cooperation.
Highlighting collaboration in disaster management, he recalled that Russia provided timely humanitarian assistance to Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake and the 2022 floods. In November 2025, a delegation from Russia’s emergency services visited Islamabad, while a high-level delegation from the Russian Foreign Ministry recently held meetings with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other relevant institutions. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in disaster forecasting, prevention, and post-disaster rehabilitation.
The Ambassador further stated that Russia views Pakistan as an important partner in South Asia within the broader Eurasian region, emphasizing that regional cooperation has become indispensable in an increasingly multipolar world order.
Speaking at the forum, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the platform plays a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties, as it brings together not only political leaders and diplomats but also journalists who contribute to deeper informational and cultural connectivity.
Zakharova observed that in today’s global environment, information has emerged as a new form of power. Through media, new dimensions of influence and protection of national interests have taken shape. She stressed that access to accurate information and transparent dialogue are essential for building a stable and balanced international system in which diverse cultures and civilizations can flourish while preserving their unique identities.
She further warned that the misuse of information and propaganda, amplified by modern technology and digital tools, can impact political and social stability worldwide. Therefore, forums such as the Moscow–Islamabad Media Forum are critically important as they provide a constructive platform for dialogue, fostering trust and cooperation in international relations.
Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Pavlovich Khorev stated that the forum represents another important link in a series of joint initiatives regularly organized by Russian and Pakistani expert communities in recent years. He expressed confidence that such cooperation enables both sides to better understand each other, recognize their national interests, identify areas of convergence, and outline directions for further mutually beneficial collaboration.
He noted that the forum’s theme is highly relevant in the current context of Pakistan–Russia relations. Referring to global developments, he said the unipolar world order has effectively come to an end, with multipolarity taking firm root in international relations. While the growing role of countries of the Global South can be viewed positively, the current period of global turbulence is accompanied by new challenges, including intensifying regional conflicts, disruptions in established supply chains due to unilateral sanctions, and the rise of extremist ideologies.
Geopolitical expert Roxolana Zigon remarked that recent cooperation between Moscow and Islamabad reflects a strong blend of public diplomacy and traditional diplomacy. She noted that although relations experienced fluctuations during the Cold War, shifts in the global balance of power and evolving regional dynamics have brought the two countries closer to shared strategic objectives.
Referring to developments in Afghanistan, she said changes in the early 2010s created an opportunity for Russia and Pakistan to reset their ties, after which cooperation across various sectors accelerated. She added that Pakistan often stood alone in the fight against terrorism and has at times faced negative narratives in international media that do not align with ground realities.
The forum was also addressed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and other distinguished speakers.
The event was jointly organized by the Rossiya Segodnya Media Group, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Associated Press of Pakistan, and other institutions.
At the conclusion of the forum, participants reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan–Russia relations on the basis of mutual respect, shared interests, and regional stability.
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