Pakistan welcomes Russia mediation between Islamabad, New Delhi

Last week Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan.

Foreign ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria, during his weekly briefing in Islamabad, welcomed the offer by President Putin, saying Pakistan's relations with Russia are on a positive trajectory.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin will be warmly welcomed in Pakistan once he takes a decision in this regard,” he said.

He also described granting the permanent membership status to Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a milestone and significant achievement in the foreign policy of the nation.

Last week during the SCO summit meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana, Pakistan and India were granted full membership to the organization.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that Pakistan wants lasting peace in Afghanistan, as it is in our best interest.

Nafees Zakaria said that growing activities of terrorist organizations are a source of concern not only for Pakistan, but for the entire world.

He said the world should join hands to address the terrorism challenge.

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