Russian PM, Iranian minister arrive in Pakistan for SCO meeting

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Iranian Minister for Industry and Trade Syed Mohammad Atabek arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), underscoring the significance of the high-profile event.

PM Mishustin was warmly welcomed by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif at the Noor Khan Airbase. Children dressed in traditional attire presented bouquets to the Russian delegation, and a red carpet was rolled out in a gesture highlighting the close ties between Russia and Pakistan.

Similarly, Iranian minister Atabek was received at the Noor Khan Airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia Ahmed Naseem Warriach and the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Raza Amiri Mughdam.

Like the Russian delegation, the Iranian minister and his team were greeted with flowers from children in traditional attire, showcasing Pakistan’s emphasis on fostering strong relations with its neighbours.

The two-day SCO summit, being chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is one of the highest forums of the SCO. As Pakistan holds the rotating chairmanship for 2023-2024, the event is seen as a crucial platform for advancing regional cooperation, trade, and security discussions among member states.