Russia and Pakistan plan to begin a freight train in August

July 11, Pakistan -- According to a statement released by the foreign office in Islamabad, a senior Russian official termed Pakistan "natural allies" and referred to the country as a "important partner" in the region's economic and energy growth during a meeting in Moscow on Thursday.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk made the comments while speaking with SAPM on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi.

In order to explore collaborations in manufacturing, engineering, and high-tech sectors, government delegations, corporate leaders, and technology companies from over 30 nations come together at INNOPROM, Russia's biggest annual industrial trade expo, which the delegation is presently attending in Moscow.

The Pakistani official said at the discussion that Islamabad's ties with Russia continue to be a top foreign policy objective. Overchuk also remembered his trip to Pakistan last year, when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received him for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

The foreign office issued a statement after the meeting that said, "He emphasized that President [Vladimir] Putin regarded Pakistan as an important partner in the growth and development of economy and energy in the region, characterizing Pakistan and Russia as 'natural allies'.

"He also highlighted the significance of important connectivity projects between two countries, such as the railway connectivity between Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Russia, and the launching of pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia in August 2025," said the statement.

The two parties also spoke about current events in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and South Asia, among other regional and global issues. They reiterated their commitment to enhancing collaboration in multilateral settings.

A potential "leap forward" in Pakistan-Russia cooperation and a resuscitation of a significant legacy project, the government's investment-friendly policies and ongoing talks on building a new steel mill in Karachi were highlighted by Prime Minister Sharif's adviser on industries and production.

The Pakistan Steel Mills, which were first constructed in the 1970s with Soviet aid, represented national self-sufficiency for many years until going out of business in 2015 as a result of ongoing financial mismanagement, political meddling, and growing losses. The two nations are now in talks to start a new steel mill project in Karachi.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk welcomed the high-level visit and said that President Putin is still dedicated to increasing collaboration with Islamabad in all significant areas.

He said that the Russian president was eager to meet with the prime minister of Pakistan at the SCO-Council of Heads of State conference that would take place in Tianjin, China, later in August.

Emergency Response in Action - Hafeez Canter Fire Contained, No Entry Without Clearance

The Hafeez center fire in Lahore has been contained, and cooling is under progress. July 10, Pakistan -- A fire that broke out inside the Hafeez Centre in the Gulberg neighbourhood of Lahore on Thursday has been successfully put out by rescue personnel.

 Rescue 1122 crews reportedly arrived on the scene promptly and are now attempting to cool down the building's impacted areas, according to Express News. DIG Operations gave local police stern instructions to act right away after the event. The Gulberg SHO was told to stay on the scene, supervise the throng, and keep anyone from entering the danger area without permission. Authorities have closed off the area around the business canter to protect the people. Barricades have been erected to prevent non-essential personnel from entering, allowing rescue crews to go on with their job unhindered.

Thankfully, no fatalities or injuries have been recorded so far. Rescue personnel promised that top authorities are continuously monitoring the situation and that all required assistance has been given to the troops on the ground. When the fire started, witnesses described a lot of smoke and fear, but prompt police and emergency response cooperation helped keep the situation from becoming worse. Visitors and traders were quickly evacuated. The situation is still evolving, and once the thorough damage assessment is over, officials should provide further information. Residents are urged to stay away from the area and heed authorities' safety recommendations in the meantime.