Islamabad/Moscow:
In a major step to revitalise Pakistan’s industrial sector, Pakistan and Russia have signed a protocol to restore and expand production at the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) in Karachi. The agreement was inked at Pakistan’s embassy in Moscow, reaffirming a partnership that dates back to the Soviet-era assistance in building the facility in 1973.
The protocol was signed by Saif Anjum, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Industries and Production, and Vadim Velichko, General Director of Industrial Engineering LLC from Russia. The signing ceremony was attended by SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan and Ambassador Muhammad Khalid Jamali.
“Reviving PSM with Russia’s support reflects our shared history and commitment to a stronger industrial future,” said Khan.
The project aims to restart and expand steel production, seen as critical to Pakistan’s domestic industrial needs and export potential.
🚧 Pakistan-Russia Expand Strategic Infrastructure Cooperation
Separately, both countries are pursuing enhanced rail and road connectivity, aiming to link Pakistan with Central Asia and Russia, and offer landlocked states direct access to warm waters.
On the sidelines of the SCO ministerial conference in Tianjin, China, Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Russian Deputy Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin discussed plans for cross-regional infrastructure development.
The initiative envisions Pakistan as a strategic transit hub, strengthening trade corridors through digitised, surveillance-equipped transport networks.
Pakistan is also working on modernising its infrastructure with e-tagging, CCTV surveillance, and barrier-free motorways, Khan added.
🚆 UAP Rail Project Back in Focus
In another regional move, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to advance the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) rail project, aiming to improve connectivity between South and Central Asia. During a telephonic conversation last month, Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi agreed to expedite the framework agreement.