ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is making efforts to resolve the issue of dual citizenship with Russia, while initiatives to strengthen economic and banking cooperation between the two countries are also under consideration, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, said.

Addressing a roundtable conference in Islamabad, Tirmizi said a significant number of Russian citizens were living in Pakistan after marrying Pakistani nationals. Families of Russian citizens are settled in various parts of the country, including Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh.

He also said efforts were underway to resolve matters concerning scholarships for 252 Pakistani students. According to the ambassador, Pakistan is playing an important role in facilitating engagement and strengthening ties with Russia.

He noted that Russia continued to trade with Asian countries despite international sanctions.

Speaking at the conference, the Russian ambassador said Moscow was ready to help reduce tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and contribute to resolving disputes. He expressed concern over the strained relations between the two neighboring countries, saying that de-escalation would serve the interests of the entire region.

The Russian ambassador said friendly relations between Pakistan and Russia could help strengthen intergovernmental ties. He added that the closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border had affected Pakistan’s trade links with Central Asian countries and Russia.

He expressed hope that the border would reopen soon and tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan would ease.

According to the Russian ambassador, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan were discussed in detail during the Russian interior minister’s visit to Pakistan. He also described regional visits by Russia’s interior minister, intelligence chief and deputy head of the Security Council as significant, adding that Moscow was pursuing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.