MINSK:
On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared that Belarus has extended a generous offer to invite over 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers to assist in the nation-building efforts of Belarus. He described this opportunity as a “gift” for Pakistan, expressing gratitude for the chance, which will benefit both the Belarusian economy and provide meaningful livelihoods to Pakistani youth.
“I assure you that the skilled workforce from Pakistan, certified according to international and national standards, will be a valuable asset for Belarus,” the prime minister said in a joint press statement with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The prime minister also recalled Lukashenko’s visit to Pakistan in 2015-16, which laid the groundwork for their growing partnership in various fields of mutual interest. Sharif highlighted the potential to benefit from Belarus’s expertise, particularly in the agricultural sector. βAs an agrarian country, 65% of Pakistanβs population lives in rural areas, and we need your expertise to improve our per-acre yield using modern techniques,” he added. He called for joint ventures between Pakistan and Belarusian companies, emphasizing the potential for both sides to benefit.
Additionally, Sharif pointed out Belarus’s expertise in manufacturing mining equipment, an area of great interest for Pakistan, given its vast mineral deposits. He suggested that both countries could become strong partners in the mining sector.
President Lukashenko, in turn, emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Pakistan. He expressed a commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including trade, industry, agriculture, and technology, and looked forward to a deeper, long-term strategic partnership. He described Sharif’s visit as an opportunity to explore new avenues of collaboration.
Bilateral Cooperation
During their meeting, the two leaders agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food security, industries, trade, and defense. A significant highlight was the agreement to send 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers to Belarus to support the country’s development efforts. A detailed strategy for this initiative will be developed soon.
They also discussed joint manufacturing of agricultural machinery and the production of electric buses, along with enhancing cooperation in food security. Further, both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening defense and business-to-business relations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later shared on social media that the discussions also covered regional issues and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in strengthening the partnership. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in agriculture, food security, and joint ventures in manufacturing, all aimed at transforming their long-standing friendship into a strategic partnership.
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
During the visit, Pakistan and Belarus signed several MoUs to bolster cooperation in defense, commerce, and environmental protection. These agreements were formalized following talks between Prime Minister Sharif and President Lukashenko. Among the signed documents were agreements on cooperation between the interior ministries, defense ministries, and military-technical cooperation for 2025-2027. Additionally, bilateral accords were signed for environmental protection, postal services, and trade development.
