ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and other regional leaders, including the Uzbek and Iranian presidents, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand.

The prime minister arrived in the southeastern city of Uzbekistan with his country’s official delegation earlier in the day to attend the 22nd annual meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS).

His delegation included foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, finance minister Miftah Ismail and defense minister Khawaja Asif.

“President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that pipeline gas supplies to Pakistan are possible, and that part of the necessary infrastructure is already in place,” Reuters reported while quoting a Russian state-owned news agency.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif thanked Putin for expressing support for the flood-affected people in Pakistan.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction at steadily growing relations between the two countries, saying the Pakistan-Russia ties were marked by strong mutual trust and understanding.

Sharif reaffirmed his country’s decision to further strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries in all areas of mutual benefit, including food security, trade and investment, energy and defense.

It was also agreed to convene the next meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) of the two states in Islamabad at an early date, the statement said.

“Both Pakistan and Russia have vital stakes in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” the prime minister said while appreciating Russia’s role in the neighboring country.

“It is essential to intensify the pace of international engagement in Afghanistan,” he continued while emphasizing the significance of regional and international efforts to stabilize the war-torn country.

Sharif also met President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon during the day while thanking him for his country’s support to the flood-affected people of Pakistan.

Rahmon extended profound sympathies and condolences over the loss of human lives and devastation caused by the floods while offering Tajikistan’s support for relief and rehabilitation activities.

The Pakistani prime minister expressed satisfaction over the growing political, trade, economic and cultural cooperation between the two states.

He also underscored the importance of regular meetings of bilateral institutional mechanisms and establishment of mutually beneficial cooperation in the implementation of energy projects.

Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s resolve regarding the timely completion of the important “CASA-1000” power transmission project.

He emphasized expansion of cooperation in the field of road transportation and regional connectivity.

The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate the provision of access to Gwadar and Karachi to Tajikistan.

In his meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Sharif said it was vital to enhance the political ties and fast-track trade and economic cooperation between the two countries by fully operationalizing the transit and preferential trade agreements between them.

He emphasized the need for closer defense and security cooperation while further increasing collaboration in the fields of education, culture and tourism.

“Liberalized visa regime would encourage business community of both countries to boost bilateral trade and investment,” the prime minister said.

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of the Trans-Afghan Railway project and expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of field expedition inside Afghanistan by Uzbek and Pakistani experts.

“Once completed, this project will effectively link the Central Asian countries with the world through the seaports of Karachi and Gwadar,” he said.

Sharif also called on Kyrgyz, Belarusian and Iranian presidents on the sidelines of the summit.