In a pivotal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the imperative of reviving and expanding bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, setting the stage for a potential transformation in economic relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Sharif, in his opening remarks, reminisced about the robust trade relations between Pakistan and Russia during the 1950s and 1960s. He highlighted how Pakistan imported machinery and exported leather and other commodities to Russia through a barter system. This historical context set the tone for the discussion, emphasizing the potential for reviving a mutually beneficial trade relationship. Currently, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia stands at approximately $1 billion. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that this figure could be significantly increased by addressing financial and banking challenges. He expressed confidence........

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