Pakistan, Russia boost anti-terror cooperation

Moscow: Pakistan's Ambassador to Russia Qazi Khalilulla on Monday said the two countries were carrying out closer cooperation in combating terrorism.

"We appreciate Russia supporting Pakistan's efforts in the fight against terrorism as well as its willingness to supply weapons for these purposes," Xinhua news agency quoted Khalilulla as saying.

He said the Russia-Pakistan working group on fighting terrorism, which was founded in 2002, will meet in Moscow before the end of the year.

The ambassador said Islamabad was implementing a national action plan of comprehensive resistance to terrorism and extremism, including countering violence propaganda, and blocking financial flows to terrorists and their supporters, with the aim of extinguishing terrorism.

Khalilulla also said Chief of Air Staff of Pakistani Air Force Sohail Aman had "fruitful talks" here in July on purchasing Russian Su-35 fighter jets.

He said the Pakistani Air Force was considering different options of deepening cooperation with Russia, but denied knowledge of any plans to buy Russian weaponry in the near future.