Let's go to Karachi: Russia and Pakistan discuss launching direct flights

Pakistan is discussing with local and Russian companies the launch of direct flights between Moscow and Karachi, the Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, told Izvestia. At the same time, the diplomat did not rule out other routes with an increase in tourist traffic. Experts believe that flights to Islamabad can also be expected. The Russian Embassy confirmed that the parties discussed the resumption of flights, including during recent official contacts. Over the past year, the two countries have exchanged visits by high-ranking delegations. Closer ties will allow us to reach a new level in agriculture and industry. Moscow and Islamabad have already agreed on barter. What are the prospects for Russia's cooperation with the fifth most populous country in the world? In the Izvestia article.

Russia and Pakistan are preparing to establish air links

Russia is working to resume flights not only to traditional tourist destinations, but also to more exotic countries. The launch of direct flights is being worked out, in particular, with Pakistan. The republic's ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, told Izvestia that the issue was already being discussed with both local and Russian companies.

— We are negotiating. We had contacts. We listened to their position and conveyed to Pakistan the information that there are opportunities. Because there used to be a flight between Moscow and Karachi. So they would be happy if these flights could resume. <...> A lot of work remains to be done, and we hope to move forward in this direction. But for this, we need a relaxed visa regime, as well as direct flights so that more people can come. So we will work on that, too," the ambassador said.

However, he did not rule out launching direct flights on other routes.

— It all depends on profitability, for example, if there are more passengers from a certain city. After all, commercial airlines are working to make a profit," said Muhammad Khalid Jamali.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Transport said it was awaiting a response from Islamabad on the resumption of flights. Pakistan's Energy Minister, Avais Leghari, suggested at the time that direct flights could be launched as early as 2025.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that the resumption of flights would primarily give an impetus to humanitarian and cultural ties. In early December 2024, an intergovernmental commission meeting was held in Moscow, at which it was decided to increase cooperation in this area. For example, they want to bring ancient artifacts from the time of the Gandhara and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations to Russian museums, on the territory of which modern Pakistan is located, Jamali told Izvestia. And they really want to see Russian exhibits in Pakistani museums.

However, it is important to recall that Pakistan is traditionally considered not the safest country for tourists. The main problem remains terrorist attacks, mainly in the province of Balochistan, where the Balochistan Liberation Army group operates.

One of the latest incidents occurred on March 11. Terrorists have taken a group of 450 train passengers hostage in Balochistan. The next day, it became known that they had been released as a result of a military operation, and all 33 attackers had been killed. At the same time, according to various sources, there are several dozen victims among the passengers.

In this regard, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and said that Russia is ready to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Moscow and Islamabad are working together to counter terrorism, at least through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Pakistan became a full member of the SCO back in 2017.

So far, Pakistan ranks an unenviable 139th in terms of security according to the independent organization World Population Review. At the same time, the closest neighbors in the rating of this South Asian country are Turkey and Mexico, which are very popular tourist destinations.

Prospects for cooperation between Russia and Pakistan

Over the past year, Russia and Pakistan have had many contacts, including at the leadership level. Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met at the SCO summit in Astana in July 2024. Later, in the fall, two high-ranking groups from the Russian Federation visited Pakistan at once, and with a difference of one month. In September, a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk arrived in Pakistan, primarily to discuss the possibility of increasing trade between the two countries. In 2023, it reached a record $1.1 billion. In October, Russian Federation Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko visited Islamabad. The parties confirmed their commitment to the full-scale development of the entire range of Russian-Pakistani relations. After that, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Moscow. The Russian Embassy in Islamabad confirmed to Izvestia that the parties discussed the resumption of flights, including during recent official contacts.

— Relations are currently on the rise, as there is a high-level exchange of delegations. Russia and Pakistan are betting on comprehensively developing and raising these relations. Therefore, the resumption of direct flights to Islamabad, for example, will help to further strengthen Pakistani-Russian cooperation," Vladimir Sotnikov, a leading researcher at the Center for Central Asian Studies at the ISSA RAS, told Izvestia.

The first Pakistan-Russia Trade and Investment Forum was also held on October 1. To expand the possibilities, the parties decided to practice barter. For example, the companies have agreed to exchange such types of food as chickpeas, rice, tangerines, potatoes and lentils. Pakistan is ready to start barter trade in energy resources, for example, with Lukoil and other large Russian companies. At least Russia is ready to increase energy supplies to Pakistan, our Ambassador to Islamabad Albert Khorev said in an interview with Izvestia.

There are prospects for expanding Russian exports in other areas as well: medicines, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and IT services.

— Cooperation in the field of high technologies is being worked out, where Russia has something to offer. Moreover, Western countries are not particularly willing to share various technologies with Pakistan. This includes industry, and the question is being decided whether Russia will receive a contract for the reconstruction of the Karachi Metallurgical Plant, which was built with technical and financial assistance from the USSR in 1971," said Vladimir Sotnikov.

Economic cooperation was continued at the Boao Asian Forum, the so-called Eastern Davos, held on March 25-28, where Russia was also represented by Overchuk. The Deputy Prime Minister held bilateral talks, including with partners from Pakistan, despite the abundance of participants in the forum, which attracted about 2,000 guests from more than 60 countries. Alexey Overchuk and Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed cooperation in energy and food supply. In April, the first freight train is due to arrive from Russia to Pakistan — previously there was no railway connection between the countries. In addition, Moscow and Islamabad are interested in expanding common transport corridors, such as the North–South International Transport Corridor.

"The entire infrastructure, whether port or railway, will become very important for [developing] regional ties as we move forward with China, ASEAN, the Persian Gulf countries, the Central Asian republics, and Russia," Muhammad Aurangzeb told Izvestia at the forum.

Cooperation between Russia and Pakistan can expand if they work together at the international level. Islamabad applied to join BRICS back in 2023, but so far the country has not even appeared on the list of potential partners. Although Pakistan's accession would certainly make the group even more ambitious. The country ranks fifth in the world in terms of population. Pakistan probably has a better chance of joining the EAEU. At least, a potential agreement between the republic and the Union was discussed at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission. But there are nuances here too: Pakistan does not recognize Armenia, a member of the EAEU.