Moscow, May 30 Russia on Friday rejected “fake news” claiming that it was increasing economic ties with Pakistan, especially by setting up a steel mill in Karachi.
In fact, recently there was news in the Pakistani media that Moscow and Islamabad are working together to increase industrial cooperation. Under this, new steel mills will be set up in Pakistan, so that cooperation like the 1970s can be revived, when the Soviet Union designed and financed Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
According to Pakistani media, a meeting was held in Islamabad on May 13 between Pakistan Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan and Moscow’s representative Denis Nazarof to consider this.
Regarding this meeting, the Express Tribune reported that the two officials held extensive discussions on the possibilities of cooperation and agreed to form a joint working group to set up a steel mill in Karachi.
During the talks, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan said that Pakistan is a safe and prosperous center for investment. Along with this, he claimed that the international community has recognized its potential.
These reports raised concerns and doubts, as Pakistan’s economy is dependent on relief packages provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Sources in Moscow acknowledged the talks on the issue, but condemned reports that claimed that ‘contracts worth billions of dollars’ have been signed between the two countries.
He said that through the “fake and fabricated” report, Pakistan has made another unsuccessful attempt to harm the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership, which has been strengthened during ‘Operation Sindoor’ earlier this month targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
When asked about the Pakistani media reports, a senior Russian government official on Friday said that it is an exaggerated news being spread by someone for sensational reasons to spoil Russia-India relations.
