MM Report
ISTANBUL: Pakistan signaled a renewed push to strengthen regional connectivity as the Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, outlined plans for collaboration with Russia on road networks and logistics corridors.
Speaking on the sidelines of the OIC Transport Ministers’ Conference in Istanbul, he said Pakistan was eager to develop land corridors through China and neighboring countries, creating more effective links with Russia via the Central Asian states.
During the meeting with Russian Deputy Minister Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev, Aleem Khan noted Pakistan’s strategic interest in enhancing transport and highway connectivity, while Zverev expressed keen support for expanding cooperation, highlighting untapped potential in infrastructure and logistics projects between the two nations.
Sources speaking on condition of anonymity suggested that Moscow, after a prolonged cooling of relations with its former ally India, was looking to forge serious ties with Pakistan to maintain its regional relevance, particularly as China and the United States deepened their presence through major initiatives.
Officials emphasized the need for practical steps to translate dialogue into action, including the launch of direct flights between Moscow and Islamabad, a move expected to facilitate trade and people-to-people contacts. Zverev formally invited Abdul Aleem Khan to the three-day International Transport and Logistics Forum scheduled next month in Saint Petersburg.
The discussions focused on expanding daily border crossing capacity from 200 trucks to between 800 and 1,000 trailers, reflecting Pakistan’s broader regional ambitions to strengthen trade and logistics links with neighboring countries.
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