HYDERABAD, Dec 19: Russian ambassador to Pakistan Sergey N. Peskov said on Wednesday that war against terror posed a serious challenge to international community as the situation in Afghanistan was getting worse despite best efforts. Mr Peskov told journalists after visiting the Belarus assembly plant established by the Fateh Group of Industries in Hyderabad that the war against terror was in fact a war against the manifestation of extremism, which had deep socio-economic roots.

“It was difficult to comment (on the ongoing war against terror in Afghanistan) as the situation there is worsening despite efforts by international community, which are aimed at normalising situation,” he said, adding that it was a key test for international community as the war was not against a single enemy.

To a question if his country still had some stakes in Afghanistan, the envoy replied that Russia had written off $12 billion debt of Afghanistan and would continue to support it materially and financially.

He said that Russia looked forward to having cordial relations with Kabul in order to continue the targeted assistance. The present situation in Afghanistan was a result of 9/11 and US presence there had been sanctioned by the United Nations, he said.

About volume of trade between Pakistan and Russia, the ambassador said that when he assumed the office the bilateral trade volume stood at $100 million but it had increased to $300 million over the past three years.