Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during an official visit to Belarus, announced a major bilateral breakthrough — Belarus will employ over 150,000 highly skilled Pakistani workers to support its nation-building efforts. Calling it a “gift” for Pakistan, the premier expressed his gratitude, noting the initiative will not only strengthen Belarus’s economy but also provide meaningful livelihoods for Pakistani youth. “These workers, certified by both international standards and national accreditation, will be a valuable asset to Belarus,” PM Shehbaz said during a joint press conference with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Strategic Agreements Signed Across Key Sectors
The two countries signed a series of wide-ranging agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to boost cooperation across sectors including defence, commerce, environmental protection, agriculture, mining, and technology.
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Among the key agreements were:
- A Readmission Agreement.
- MoUs between interior ministries.
- A defence cooperation pact.
- A 2025–2027 roadmap for military-technical cooperation.
- Agreements on postal services, environmental collaboration, business support, and trade development.
Documents were exchanged in the presence of the two leaders by ministers including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, and Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin.
Agriculture, Mining, and Joint Ventures on the Horizon
Recognizing Pakistan’s large agrarian base — with 65% of the population residing in rural areas — PM Shehbaz requested Belarusian assistance in improving per-acre yield using modern agricultural techniques. He emphasized the need for joint ventures between Pakistani and Belarusian companies, particularly in agricultural machinery manufacturing, food security, and electric bus production.
Pakistan also highlighted the immense potential for cooperation in the mining sector, pointing to its mineral deposits valued at trillions of dollars. “With Belarus’s expertise in mining equipment, we can become excellent partners in this vital area,” PM Shehbaz said.
Belarusian President Calls for Strategic Partnership
President Lukashenko warmly welcomed PM Shehbaz, expressing deep appreciation for Pakistan’s friendship. He stressed the importance of expanding bilateral relations across trade, industry, technology, and agriculture, and noted that PM Shehbaz’s visit would act as a catalyst for deeper collaboration.
The Belarusian president also hosted a dinner at his farmhouse in honour of PM Shehbaz, former PM Nawaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The gesture was widely seen as a display of Belarus’s commitment to strengthening personal and diplomatic ties with Pakistan’s leadership.
Parliamentary Exchanges and Diplomatic Engagements
During the visit, PM Shehbaz also met with Belarusian parliamentary leaders — Natalya Kochanova and Igor Sergeyenko — to discuss strengthening parliamentary engagement. Both sides agreed on increasing inter-parliamentary exchanges to reinforce political ties.
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In a post on social media platform X, PM Shehbaz summarized the visit’s outcomes: “We reviewed the entire spectrum of our bilateral cooperation, including political, trade, investment, and people-to-people contacts. This visit marks a new chapter in Pakistan-Belarus relations.” Following his Belarus visit, the prime minister flew to London for a short private visit, where he was received by PML-N UK leaders and is scheduled to meet Nawaz Sharif. PM Shehbaz is expected to return to Pakistan for the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad.