ISLAMABAD (MNN); Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a four-day visit at the invitation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, marking the first visit to Pakistan by a Russian interior minister, according to the Interior Ministry.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry received Kolokoltsev upon his arrival in Islamabad.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the visit would feature important discussions on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen mutual cooperation. The Russian minister is also scheduled to hold meetings with Pakistan’s leadership.
The visit comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Moscow and follows the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format on October 5, attended by representatives from Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran, India and Central Asian states.
The meeting focused on Afghanistan’s political, security and economic situation, including counterterrorism and regional connectivity. However, Russia’s special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, confirmed that differences between the Pakistani and Afghan delegations prevented the participants from adopting a final document.
The discussions also highlighted differing regional approaches towards Afghanistan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the Taliban administration’s performance since its return to power in 2021 and described it as a “national government”. Moscow formally recognised the Taliban administration in 2025, becoming the first country to do so.
Russia’s position contrasts with Pakistan’s concerns over alleged links between the Taliban administration and militant groups operating against Pakistan.
Pakistan and Russia have also been working to expand economic cooperation. On August 18, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev in Islamabad and welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations.
Earlier, on June 9, Energy Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari announced that Pakistan and Russia had agreed to sign an Economic Cooperation Programme extending through 2030. He also said a recently signed readmission agreement was expected to facilitate visa arrangements and strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The Russian interior minister’s visit is expected to provide another opportunity for the two countries to discuss bilateral ties and enhance cooperation.
