By Pervaiz Mughal
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday, during which both sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations and revisited the scheduling of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s postponed visit to Moscow.
According to an official statement issued by the Foreign Office, the discussion took place in a cordial tone and focused on maintaining steady high-level engagement between Islamabad and Moscow. The two leaders agreed that the proposed visit by the prime minister, which had earlier been delayed, should be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time.
The trip had originally been expected to take place from 3 to 5 March, according to Russian media reports, but was cancelled by the Pakistani side in the aftermath of heightened regional tensions following the US-Israel strike on Iran. The Prime Minister’s Office had previously said that the decision to postpone the visit was taken in view of the rapidly evolving security situation in the region, which required close attention from senior leadership in Islamabad.
During the conversation, both sides also exchanged views on broader regional and international developments. They reiterated the importance of continued dialogue and diplomacy in managing conflicts and supporting global peace and stability. Lavrov, according to the statement, appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States, describing it as constructive.
Dar, who also serves as foreign minister, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and peaceful resolution of disputes. He stressed that engagement and negotiation remained essential tools in addressing international challenges.
