By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday has thanked and praised the Russian President Vladimir Putin for his stand to supported the Muslims voice to respect the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). .

"Just spoke to President Putin primarily to express my appreciation for his emphatic statement that freedom of speech could not be a pretext to abuse our Prophet PBUH. He is the first Western leader to show empathy & sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet PBUH," Khan tweeted after his telephonic conversation with the Russian President. 

Later in a statemnet, issued from his office, said during telephonic conversation with President of Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin, Khan appreciated President’s Putin statement that insulting Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) does not count as an expression of artistic freedom but is a "violation of religious freedom,” according to official statement, issued from Khan’s office.

The two leaders also bilateral cooperations between the two countries and regional issues, especially the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan’s bilateral relationship with Russia was on an upward trajectory, with an increased focus on trade and economic ties and energy cooperation,” Khan said and reiterated his government’s resolve for early realization of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project.

The 1,100-kilometer-long project, formerly known as the North-South Pipeline, plans to carry 12.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. The project name was changed to 'Pakistan Stream' along with its partnership structure against the risk of US sanctions on Russian companies.

Although the countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on the project in 2015, the project has been postponed for several reasons.

The two leaders also agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas, increase high-level exchanges, and remain in close contact on matters relating to Afghanistan.

Khan also said that he looked forward to President Putin’s visit to Pakistan as well as his own visit to Russia at an appropriate time.

“A peaceful and stable Afghanistan was pivotal for regional stability. Afghanistan was facing dire humanitarian and economic challenges and support of the international community to the people of Afghanistan at this critical juncture remained vitally important,” Khan added.

He also underscored the importance of release of Afghanistan’s financial assets for addressing the dire needs of the Afghan people.

Last year in August after Taliban took over control of Afghanistan’s capital city, Washington has frozen its over $10 billion assets in US banks, which pushed the war-torn country into economic crisis.

Last month, the United Nations warned that over 23 million Afghans are facing food shortage and financial problems that could put their lives in risk.