ISLAMABAD (S. Awan) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's four-day official visit to the Russian Federation in the first week of December is in progress. According to sources, the visit is being finalized.

Sources say that a high-level official and business delegation will also go to Russia along with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Official summit talks between Pakistan and Russia are expected during the visit, in which important issues including bilateral relations, trade, investment, energy and regional security will be discussed.

According to sources, the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, the US-Iran conflict, the tension between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and the issues of peace and stability in South and Central Asia. The two leaders will also discuss counter-terrorism cooperation and regional security issues.

Sources say that the development and utilization of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) between Pakistan and Russia will also be included in the agenda of the talks. The project aims to improve trade and travel links between Pakistan, Russia, Central Asia and other regional countries. In this regard, consideration will be given to integrating railways, roads and other means of transport.

In the energy sector, long-term trade arrangements for crude oil imports from Russia, possible LNG and gas supply projects are expected to be discussed. Possible arrangements for oil and gas deliveries, payments and trade terms between the two countries will also be explored.

According to sources, the matter of rehabilitating Pakistan Steel Mills and developing it on modern lines is also likely to be included in the important agenda of the visit. Further strengthening of relations and cooperation between the two countries can also be discussed at international forums including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

On the occasion of the visit, Pakistan-Russia Business Forum is also likely to be held to promote trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Russia. Around 100 Pakistani businessmen and representatives of various companies are expected to participate in the forum.

According to sources, the Pakistani business delegation will include representatives from textile, agriculture, food, medicine, industrial products and energy sectors. On this occasion, there will also be direct meetings (B2B) between the investors and businesses of the two countries, in which the possibilities of joint investment, industrial projects and access to the Russian market for Pakistani products will be explored.

Sources say that discussions are also expected to remove the banking difficulties faced in commercial transactions between the two countries and to provide easy and efficient payment procedures to businesses. The possibility of trade in Pakistani Rupee and Russian Ruble will also be explored.

The issue of promoting the trade of wheat and other agricultural commodities from Russia in the context of food security is also included in the agenda.

According to sources, the main purpose of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Russia is to find new opportunities to raise bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries to new heights.