Moscow (Shahid Ghumman) : The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided detailed information to Dunya News regarding the expected visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Moscow and the current state of Pakistan–Russia relations.
In her weekly press briefing yesterday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded to a question from Dunya News correspondent Shahid Ghumman concerning Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Moscow. Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry followed up via email, sharing comprehensive details on the history and recent progress of Pakistan–Russia relations.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were established on May 1, 1948. High-level and top-level contacts between the two countries have continued consistently.
Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf paid an official visit to Russia in February 2003, while President Asif Ali Zardari visited Russia in May 2011. In April 2007, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov visited Islamabad. In February 2022, then Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a visit to Moscow.
The most recent high-level meetings took place in 2024 and 2025, including several meetings between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other international forums. During these engagements, both sides outlined concrete steps to enhance cooperation in trade, economic, and humanitarian sectors.
Parliamentary ties between the two countries also remain active. In 2024 and 2025, multiple official visits and meetings were held at the parliamentary level, including high-level delegations from the Senate and the National Assembly.
Foreign ministers of both countries maintain regular contact, and inter-ministerial consultation mechanisms are functioning effectively. In 2025, Russia and Pakistan held multiple rounds of talks on global security, counterterrorism efforts, regional stability, and other emerging international challenges.
Coordination on Afghanistan continues as well. Meetings under the Moscow Format, along with the regional “Quadrilateral” (Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan), are held regularly to promote peace and stability in the region.
The Russian Foreign Ministry further stated that military cooperation between Pakistan and Russia remains ongoing. Since 2016, the two countries have conducted annual joint counterterrorism and naval exercises under the titles “Druzhba” and “Arabian Monsoon.” In 2025, the eighth round of the Druzhba exercises was held in Russia’s Volgograd region, while the latest naval drills took place in March 2025.
In the trade and economic sphere, the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation remains active. Its 10th session was held in Islamabad in November 2025. Industry and energy are identified as priority areas for cooperation. The possibility of connecting Pakistan to international transport corridors involving Russia, including the North–South International Transport Corridor (INSTC), is under consideration. Islamabad has also expressed interest in expanding partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union.
Educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries is also progressing. A working group under the bilateral commission promotes collaboration in education, science, and technology. Interest in Russian education is steadily increasing in Pakistan, with Russian language courses currently being offered in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Sargodha. Further progress in cooperation and trade is expected in the coming period.
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