Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh (Federal Minister): The Central Asian States are the gateway to the Russian market. The focus of the meeting of the Prime Minister with the Russian President was to establish a corridor for easy access to the Central Asia and Russian markets. The Prime Minister in his meeting with the Russian President also focused on barter trade as a means to circumvent Western financial sanctions hindering economic cooperation. There is a huge trade potential in Pakistan and Gwadar port being the deep port is becoming a source of attraction for many countries for trade purposes. One of the biggest shipping lines in the world is taking keen interest to invest in Pakistan. The incumbent government is making all out efforts to strengthen trade relations with other countries and even with the land-locked countries. The corridor between Central Asian States, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan will bring economic revolution in the region.

Dr. Zahid Anwar Khan (IR Expert): The visit of the Prime Minister to the Central Asian Republics is very important. An important component of the foreign policy of Pakistan is to strengthen its relations with other countries particularly with Central Asian States. Russia is also an important stakeholder in the region and the meeting of the Prime Minister with the Russian President will open a new era of development. Moreover, SCO meeting is also due and the Prime Minister will hold meetings with different world leaders on the sideline of the summit in order to develop a mutual consensus on regional issues. The Prime Minister will also highlight the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. The interim government in Afghanistan assured the world that its soil will never be used against any other country but contrary to that claim Afghanistan has become a safe haven for militant organizations.