Islamabad – A high-level delegation from Belarus arrived in Islamabad on Sunday ahead of President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s three-day official visit to Pakistan. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and foster cooperation across multiple sectors, with several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) set to be signed between the two nations.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended a warm welcome to the 68-member delegation upon their arrival in the federal capital. The delegation comprises several key Belarusian officials, including the foreign minister, energy minister, justice minister, transport minister, minister for natural resources, minister for emergency situations, and the chairman of the Military Industry Committee. Additionally, 43 prominent business leaders from Belarus are accompanying the delegation.
Enhancing Bilateral Ties
Naqvi held discussions with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and the energy minister. He highlighted the importance of President Lukashenko’s visit, emphasizing Pakistan’s eagerness to strengthen ties with Belarus.
The interior minister underlined the significance of the visit in boosting cooperation in trade, industry, and other vital sectors. He expressed optimism about the long-term benefits the visit will bring to bilateral relations.
Key Meetings and Agreements
During his stay, President Lukashenko will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to explore avenues of collaboration and engagement. The discussions are expected to lead to the signing of several agreements and MoUs to formalize mutual commitments in various fields.
The Belarusian Prime Minister, Roman Golovchenko, had previously visited Islamabad earlier this year to participate in the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting, where he met with key Pakistani leaders.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Belarusian Ambassador to Pakistan, Andrei Metelitsa, announced earlier this year that President Lukashenko’s visit aims to bolster trade and economic ties between the two countries. The current trade volume between Pakistan and Belarus stands at $60 million, with significant potential for growth.
Belarus exports heavy machinery, fertilizers, agricultural equipment, synthetic filament tow, chemicals, and malt extract to Pakistan. In return, it imports textiles, rice, citrus fruits, leather apparel, footwear, and medical instruments from Pakistan.
This high-profile visit is expected to serve as a milestone in strengthening the partnership between the two nations, paving the way for deeper collaboration in trade, industry, and diplomacy.
