Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Postpones Official Visit to Russia

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed his planned official visit to Russia, citing the recent "regional and internal situation," according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Sunday. The visit was described as significant for advancing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.

The PMO stated that a new date for the visit would be decided following mutual consultations between the two countries. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Shehbaz was originally scheduled to travel to Russia from March 3 to 5, as reported by Russian media outlets.

Officials said the decision to postpone the visit was made after consultations in light of the evolving circumstances both within Pakistan and in the region. The PMO emphasized the importance of the visit for strengthening ties with Russia, but noted that the current situation necessitated a delay.

The postponement comes amid heightened regional tensions. Sources noted that Pakistan recently launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban following cross-border incidents. Additionally, the United States and Israel carried out strikes against Iran on Saturday, resulting in the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran reportedly responded with missile attacks targeting Israel.

While the PMO did not provide further details regarding the specific internal or regional factors influencing the decision, it reaffirmed Pakistan's intention to reschedule the visit after further discussions with Russian counterparts.

The visit had been anticipated as a step towards enhancing cooperation between Islamabad and Moscow. However, officials maintain that the postponement is temporary and subject to future developments in the region and within Pakistan.