ISLAMABAD: Diplomats, academicians, analysts and journalists have urged Pakistan and Russia to

explore new avenues for cooperation in order to address emerging challenges and cope with the global power politics.

Speaking at a conference, “Perspectives on the bilateral relations development between Russia and Pakistan”, they underlined the need for both countries to strengthen mutual understanding and promote sustainable bilateral relations.

The speakers noted that Russia and Pakistan share the same views on international issues and have too much potential to collaborate in different areas of national, regional and global importance.

Geopolitical analyst and head of the Scientific Centre of International and Strategic Studies at the University of World Civilization Dr Roxolana Zigon highlighted the deepening cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.

She said global power shifts influenced both nations to recognise shared strategic and geopolitical objectives. Dr Zigon added that the forum aims to strengthen strategic collaboration ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Moscow, emphasising Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism, manage tensions with India responsibly and assert its role as a “middle power” through active global engagement.

She said Pakistan’s diplomatic and military responses, including the management of heightened tensions with India, reflect strategic restraint and responsibility as a nuclear state.

Dr Zigon underlined Pakistan’s growing diplomatic influence and active engagement in global affairs, noting that the prime minister and top military officials had pursued international dialogue to reassert Pakistan’s role as a “middle power.”

Former foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry observed that Pakistan-Russia relations had witnessed a steady upward trajectory since the early 2000s with both |countries gradually building mutual trust and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors including defence, energy and regional connectivity.

News analyst and anchor Shaukat Piracha termed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz to Moscow as highly significant for advancing strategic engagement, adding President Vladimir Putin condemned blasphemous content that hurt the sentiments of Muslims and recalled instances where Russia supported Pakistan’s principled positions on key international issues.

Executive Content Producer of Rossiya Segodyna Dmitry Leontiev stressed that media organisations must uphold their national interests while reporting.

“We are here following our national interest, and Pakistani media should also follow their national interest,” he said,

Anchor Mateen Haider highlighted the importance of objectivity, subjectivity and independence in reporting, pointing to bias in parts of the international media that negatively portrayed Pakistan, discouraging tourism despite realities on the ground.

Head of Sputnik International, Dimitri Alexander Simes said his organisation operates in multiple languages and plans to introduce Urdu programming to better engage Pakistani audiences. He also extended cooperation to Pakistani media organisations, stressing the need for reciprocal collaboration.

A counsellor at Rossiya Segodnya Media Group expressed optimism about growing public interest in international affairs and said Pakistan-Russia relations are poised for significant transformation in the coming years.

Bureau Chief of Asia One, Asas Malik, said Pakistan and Russia have significant potential to further strengthen their relations. He highlighted recent ministerial visits to Russia and called for announcements of additional scholarships for Pakistani students.

Adviser to Ministry of Defence and Chairperson of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University Dr Maria Sultan underscored the central role of communication and journalism in bridging trust gaps. She said sustainable cooperation cannot be achieved without accurate and balanced media representation.

“If there are no voices reflecting the truth on either side, the communication bridge will not hold,” she said, highlighting media engagement as essential to overcoming long-standing trust deficits and legacy perceptions.

Dr Syed Mohammad Ali, Chairperson Council of Complaints, deliberated on emerging sectors of potential cooperation and the importance of fostering mutual trust.

He identified key challenges and proposed measures to address them, highlighting Pakistan’s stance on various issues while expressing optimism about stronger ties in the future.

Senior journalist Almas Haider Naqvi highlighted collaboration in multinational forums such as the SCO as a reflection of mutual recognition and forward-looking partnerships.

Sarwat Rauf, Head of the Department of International Relations at Numl, stressed the importance of academic and intellectual exchanges in strengthening long-term cooperation.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2026