Albania welcomes Pakistan peace role in US-Iran Talks
by Central Desk · Dispatch News DeskMonitoring Desk: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, delivered a keynote address at Webinar-1, titled “Pakistan-Russia Bilateral Relationship at the Cusp of a Shifting Global Order,” highlighting the highly positive and pragmatic trajectory of bilateral relations over the past two decades.
Addressing the structural transformations in global politics, the minister noted that residual distrust dating back to the Soviet era has largely faded, elevating the relationship from one between “unfriendly countries” to a partnership of “trusted friends” across sectors including trade, energy, defence, and technology.
He said this diplomatic momentum has been driven by high-level engagement between the leadership of both countries, as reflected in four recent meetings between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As Co-Chairman of the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), the minister emphasized his regular engagements with his Russian counterpart, Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev, describing the IGC as the cornerstone of the two countries’ multifaceted relationship.
He noted that bilateral cooperation has expanded through structured mechanisms, including consultations on security, strategic stability, and counterterrorism, as well as coordination at the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in support of an inclusive and multipolar international order.
A key focus of the address was regional connectivity, with Pakistan expressing its intention to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The minister welcomed a statement by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk regarding the linkage of the INSTC with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which he said would establish a crucial connection within the broader framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The minister also highlighted that Russian leaders have praised Pakistan’s recent diplomatic role in helping to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. He said this recognition further reinforced President Putin’s acknowledgement of Pakistan as an important global stakeholder.
To unlock the significant potential for bilateral trade and address structural challenges such as payment mechanisms, both countries have agreed to sign the Programme of Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan until 2030.
Furthermore, the recent signing of the long-pending Pakistan-Russia Readmission Agreement in Bishkek is expected to facilitate visa procedures, business travel, and people-to-people exchanges.
Pakistan’s growing institutional engagement with Russia was recently demonstrated by one of its largest-ever delegations attending the Kazan Forum 2026, alongside regular participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and Moscow Energy Week.
Concluding his remarks, the minister reiterated that Pakistan-Russia relations constitute a vital component of broader Eurasian economic integration and regional stability.
Addressing the webinar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, stated:
“Pakistan, after 47 years, has brought the United States and Iran to the negotiating table. This makes Pakistan geographically and diplomatically crucial to world peace. Pakistan and Russia today find themselves presented with a historic opportunity to elevate their engagement beyond traditional diplomacy.
As the world transitions towards a more multipolar order, our two countries possess the strategic vision, economic leverage, and political will necessary to build a partnership that contributes positively to regional stability. The future of Pakistan-Russia relations will be defined not by the constraints of the past, but by the opportunities we create together for future generations.”
Participants from the Russian side emphasized that a visit by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia would be among the most anticipated bilateral events and would play an important role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The webinar concluded with a shared recognition that stronger Pakistan-Russia ties can serve as a stabilizing force in an increasingly complex global environment.