Russia ready to revamp PSM, says envoy

Karachi
Russian Federation Ambassador Alexey Y Dedov has assured that his government was ready to revamp Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
He was talking to The News on Thursday after calling on Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Khan Durrani at his old PA building chamber on Thursday. Russian Consul General in Karachi Oleg Avdeev was also present at the occasion.
When told that the PSM was in deplorable condition, Dedov said he visited the Steel Mills on Wednesday, along with Avdeev, and his take was that plant was in excellent condition and cannot be termed deplorable in any way.
He recalled his recent meetings in Islamabad and siad that both the governments through an agreement and mutual understanding had decided to improve Steel Mills production.
The envoy said the PSM production has reached 70 percent mark from as low as 42 percent it had a few months ago and it was a pleasant sign.
Answering to a question about visit of the Russian president to Pakistan, he said as yet President Putin’s had no programme to visit Pakistan and media will be told if a decision in this regard was taken.
Agha Siraj Durrani on the occasion said he informed the distinguished guests that Steel Mills installed by Soviet Union during the period of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had served Pakistan well.
He said Dedov was apprised about the culture and values of Sindh and the current political situation in the province was also discussed at length.
The PA speaker said the ambassador was also briefed on People’s Party’s reconciliation policy and positive change it had brought in the political scenario of Sindh.
To a question about return of Muttahida Qaumi Movement to Sindh government, Durrani said, he was not the appropriate person to invite MQM to government fold, but added, “Whenever they will come back we would welcome it.”
After the meeting, Dedov was taken on a tour of old Sindh Assembly building by Agha Siraj Durrani.
The ambassador showed keen interest in paintings and especially in stones used in the structure of the building.