ISLAMABAD: Scholars at a seminar urged further cementing Pak-Russia relations with an economic overview, calling for adopting a pattern of China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has provided a new impetus to Pak-China relations.
Giving an overview of Pak-Russia bilateral relations during the one-day seminar titled “Evolving Regional Dynamics and Future of Pakistan-Russia Relations”, Islamabad Policy Research Institute President Ambassador Khan Hasham Bin Saddique stressed that there are common areas of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia such as combating terrorism, bilateral trade, economic cooperation and stability in the region, especially with regard to Afghanistan.
“As Asia emerges as a hub of economic corridors, Pakistan offers attractive economic opportunities to the regional countries and beyond. CPEC, a pilot project of Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a case in point. Initiatives like Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI), Central Asian Region Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and ideas like South-South cooperation can provide a foundational basis for greater regional homogeneity and integration,” he stated.
He said Pakistan, being an energy-scarce country, could benefit from energy-rich Russia, as that can boost mutual trade and cooperation.