ISLAMABAD : 06 May 2025 – President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further expand bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation in the areas of trade, investment, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
He said this peaking at a ceremony marking the 80th Anniversary of Victory of the Russian Federation in the Great Patriotic War 1941 – 1945. Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. Khorev, Ambassador of Russian Federation hosted a grand reception to mark the day at the residence.
President Asif Ali Zardari highlighted the growing momentum in Pakistan-Russia relations and expressed confidence that recent high-level interactions between the two countries have laid a solid foundation for deeper engagement and greater understanding.
Ambassador Albert P. Khorev welcomed the President and cut the ceremonial cake with high profile guests. Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Governor KP Faisal Kareem Kunddi, Ambassadors of China, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan Azerbaijan, Morocco,Qatar, Palestine, Acting ambassadors, DHMs, DAs and diplomats of Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, Tunisia, UAE and a large number of other diplomats from other countries were also present.
The host ambassador shed light on the history of the day in his welcome address. He said , “Today it is imperative to recall the most important battles of the Great Patriotic War: Brest, Smolensk, Moscow, Leningrad, Rzhev, Stalingrad, Kursk, Murmansk, the battles for Crimea and the Caucasus, which turned the tide of the war.
The battle for the Caucasus, which lasted more than a year at the same time as the Battle of Stalingrad, prevented the Germans from breaking through to the oil-rich parts of Azerbaijan and thwarted Hitler’s plans for further conquest of the British Middle East and India.”
President of Pakistan, in his keynote address , said “I am confident that the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Russia will continue to grow stronger,” the President said, adding that both nations have “immense potential to expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and people-to-people contacts.”
The President extended warm congratulations to President Vladimir Putin, the Russian government, and the people of Russia on the occasion, saying that the Victory showed the strength and resilience of the Russian people, as well as their strong commitment to peace and prosperity. He noted that people from the Indus Valley—modern-day Pakistan—had also played a critical role in defeating Nazism as part of the British Army.
Recalling his 2011 visit to Russia, President Zardari acknowledged President Putin’s efforts to promote Pakistan-Russia friendship. He described Russia as a “key global power” and highlighted its role in promoting regional peace and stability, especially its role in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.
The President also reaffirmed the commitment to building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, besides urging the need to work together for a better future for the region and the world.
Russian culture show was the main attraction for the guests who were fascinated by the wonderful performance of Russian artists who traveled from Russia to Pakistan to amuse the Pakistanis at the Embassy. Beautiful performers clad in traditional dresses made the magic and won the hearts of the participants.
