Bilal Ahmed 
(C)Hum news english,russian deputy prime minister alexei overchuk arrives in pakistan
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk arrived in Pakistan today, a day after the Foreign Ministry announced his two-day official visit from September 18 to 19.
In a press release issued today, the Foreign Ministry said the Russian dignitary was welcomed at Islamabad airport by Pakistan’s ambassador to Moscow, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, and Deputy Foreign Secretary (Europe) Shafqat Ali Khan. Overchuk, the FO added, will hold in-depth talks with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his counterpart Ishaq Dar during his stay in the federal capital.
This visit comes after The News reported that Islamabad and Moscow were considering future transactions in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
According to the publication quoting a senior energy ministry official, Russia has indicated that its LNG export terminals would be ready in 2026 for gas trade with Pakistan, given that the price reopening clause with Qatar under two long-term government-to-government agreements would be invoked in 2026.
An official also informed the sub-committee that a Russian delegation was due to visit the country to discuss the creation of a state-of-the-art steel mill on the existing Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) site.
Focusing on strengthening socio-cultural ties between the two countries, Overchuk said he hoped constructive collaboration with Pakistan would continue under Russia’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State.
It should be noted that earlier this month, the Ministry of Industry and Production submitted a report to the National Assembly indicating that the country was considering the creation of a new steel mill following a meeting between Russian representatives and President Zardari in April, during which the former offered their assistance for PSM, created with Moscow’s help.
Pakistan has hosted a number of high-ranking officials from various countries in recent months, including the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, who paid a two-day official visit in July.
