Islamabad (Web Desk): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday left for Moscow on two-day visit to attend the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Foreign Ministers (SCO-CFM).
The invitation to the foreign minister to attend the SCO-CFM was extended by his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who will also chair the meeting, the Radio Pakistan reported.
Talking to media before departure, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said SCO is an important platform that provides numerous opportunities for progress, prosperity and regional connectivity.
There will be several countries at the conference that have keen interest as well as link with peace and stability in Afghanistan, FM Qureshi said, adding that he will hold meetings with them on the sidelines of the conference.
The foreign minister said his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also been scheduled. He said there are bright chances of promotion of bilateral relations with Russia in days to come.
Qureshi added that Pakistan looks forward for long-term multi-dimensional partnership with Russia.
The foreign minister said that Russia has interest in North-South gas pipeline project, which can benefit Pakistan. He said 1100-kilometer long pipeline will be laid between Karachi and Lahore, and this project has been delayed since 2015.
He said the project will be discussed and some progress may also take place during the visit.
FM Qureshi said he will also meet foreign ministers of various Central Asian Republics and discuss with them ways to enhance Pakistan's trade volume.
He said Gawadar Port's role for progress and prosperity of the region will also be discussed.
It is pertinent to mention that the SCO-CFM is the highest forum of SCO after the Council of Heads of State (CHS) and the Council of Heads of Government (CHG).
It deliberates on important regional and international issues and considers documents for approval and adoption by the Council of Heads of State.
Besides Pakistan, SCO’s current membership comprises China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
