PESHAWAR: Russian Ambassador Alexey Y. Dedov inaugurated the Pushkin Russian language laboratory at the Area Study Centre in the University of Peshawar here on Tuesday with a view to promoting the country’s language learning and research.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, he also termed the economic and defence cooperation between the two countries and visits by both the political and defence leadership as a welcoming sign, according to a press release issued here.

The Area Study Centre and the UoP jointly organised a seminar to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Russia.

Arsallah Khan, the honorary consul general of Russian Federation for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata, informed the participants that Russian Consulate had been established in Peshawar to facilitate singing of new memorandum of understandings with various Russian academic institutions and reviving the already signed MoUs.

He said the consulate would also provide assistance in provision of a Russian language teacher by the country’s embassy in Islamabad.

Dr Sarfraz Khan, director Area Study Centre, expressed gratitude to the Russian envoy and others for participating in the seminar and presenting research publications.

He stressed the need of ridding the region of terrorism, extremism and to promote peace and economic cooperation.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2018