Pakistan pledges to boost security ties with Russia

KARACHI, Pakistan

A high-level delegation led by Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Aleksandr V Fomin met Pakistan's military leadership on Tuesday and discussed increasing military cooperation and industrial collaboration between the two states.

Fomin met army chief Gen. Asim Munir, and air force chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu to discuss the regional security environment and matters of mutual interest, including the enhancement of bilateral defense and security cooperation, Pakistan's military said in a statement.

The army chief reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening traditional defense ties with Russia, while both sides affirmed their dedication to bolstering collaboration in various security and defense domains.

Fomin, for his part, commended the Pakistan Army’s achievements in combating terrorism and highlighted the importance of a unified, cooperative approach among the global community to counter extremism, the statement added.

Fomin's visit comes on the heels of the trip by Russian Federation Council chair Valentina Matvienko to Islamabad.

In a meeting with Pakistan's President Asif Zardari on Monday, the two sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties in the areas of trade, commerce, investment, agriculture and energy for mutual benefit.

Zardari also sought Russia’s support for Pakistan’s bid to become a member of the BRICS bloc to help Pakistan enhance its role in regional and global cooperation.