PESHAWAR - Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) Chairman, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao Sunday termed the cancellation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pakistan a severe setback and said it was a matter of grave concern for the country.
In a statement, he urged the government to find what went wrong with the tour plan and try to remove the hurdles that led to the cancellation of the long-awaited tour.
He termed it unfortunate for the country and said Putin would have been the first ever Russian president to visit Pakistan.
Highlighting Russia’s importance in the region, he said Moscow was a key player in the region, who could play a prominent and positive role in the ongoing peace process and development of the region.
He urged the foreign office to determine why the Russian President chose not to come to Pakistan and also tell the nation about the reasons.
He said Moscow felt disappointed over the Pakistan’s bleak response to various vital projects including energy in which Russia was interested.
Chairman PPP-S said Pakistan’s dwindling interest in construction of Iran-Pakistan-India and Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline projects led to the cancellation of this tour.
He said Iran had completed construction of a gas pipeline in its territory with the help of Russia and Pakistan should also give positive response in order to steer the country out of the energy crisis.
He said Moscow was offering financial and technical assistance at a time, when the international community left Pakistan alone.
“Pakistan’s friendly relation with Moscow is a need of the hour.
The government must take the cancellation seriously and take tangible steps for rescheduling the visit or it will face further isolation,” he said.