ISLAMABAD, MAR 20 (DNA) : President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday extended their heartiest felicitations to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on his re-election in the Presidential Election and conveyed a desire to further strengthen ties in all areas .

A Foreign Office statement while highlighting the close, friendly and cooperative relations between Pakistan and Russia said “their relations are characterized by mutual trust and convergence of views on important international and regional issues.”

“The leadership of Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the leadership of the Russian Federation to further strengthen cooperation in all fields of mutual interest,” the Foreign Office said.