Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delays his Moscow visit due to escalating border tensions with Afghanistan and internal protests following Iran’s leader’s death.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed an official visit to Russia scheduled for this week, citing the “current regional and internal situation”.

The premier’s office announced the decision on Sunday, stating the trip set for March 3 to 5 was delayed after consultations.

The postponement comes amid months of cross-border clashes with Afghanistan that intensified last Thursday when Afghan forces launched an offensive along the frontier.

Pakistani forces have reportedly responded to the incursion with ground and aerial counter-strikes along the volatile border region.

Internal unrest also flared across Pakistan on Sunday as protesters took to the streets following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israel air strikes.

Sharif’s office stated that a new date for the Russia visit would be decided through “mutual consultations” at a later time.

Russian media had previously reported the prime minister’s planned three-day diplomatic mission to Moscow.

 The Sun Malaysia