Russian President not visiting Pakistan in July, Foreign Office

Replying to media queries, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that the Foreign Office had seen some reports regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pakistan.

Refuting the facts he said that, “Pakistan and Russia are close partners and friends. The two sides are committed to building a strong multi-dimensional relationship that not only serves their respective national interests but also contributes to regional as well as global peace and security,”.

Chaudhri said the exchange of high-level visits is an important part of the growing Pakistan-Russia relations.

“While invitations for visits at the summit level have been extended by both sides, no such visit has been scheduled yet,” the spokesman noted.

The spokesperson highlighted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a successful visit to Islamabad in April this year, while Pakistan’s foreign and defence ministers had visited Moscow last year.

Earlier the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan will raise the issue of Indian terror financing at the international level.

In a statement on Monday, the foreign minister said that Pakistan expects the international community to take notice of solid evidence provided by Pakistan about Indian involvement in Lahore’s Johar Town blast.

“Pakistan is taking every possible step against terrorism and for protection of its borders. We have carried out border fencing and cleared our tribal areas of terrorists. Development work has also been started in the tribal districts,” he said.

FM further said that concrete steps have been taken by Pakistan to check terror financing and curb money laundering.

Shah Mehmood said that Pakistan desires the honourable return of Afghan refugees to their homeland and support of the international community is required to achieve that.

“A comprehensive, time-bound and well-resourced plan be carved out for the return of Afghan refugees,” he added.