Pakistan and Belarus on Friday signed a string of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, commerce and environmental protection, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The agreements were signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Belarus, following his meeting with President Aleksandr Lukashenko and the delegation-level talks between the two sides encompassing discussions on different areas of cooperation as well as regional and international matters.
The two leaders witnessed the ceremony as ministers from both sides exchanged the pre-signed documents.
The governments of Pakistan and Belarus signed a Readmission Agreement as well as an Agreement on Cooperation between the interior ministries of two countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Belarusian Internal Affairs Minister exchanged documents.
Pakistan and Belarus signed an agreement on cooperation between the defence ministries of the two countries and the documents were exchanged by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin.
The two sides signed a Program (Roadmap) of the Military-Technical Cooperation between the State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Defence Production for 2025-2027. Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Minister of the State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus, Dmitry Pantus exchanged the documents.
During the visit, the bilateral accords were also signed for cooperation on environmental protection, postal services, business support, trade development and cooperation between trade bodies.
One-on-one talks
Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to enhance their collaboration in diverse fields of mutual interest. This came at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko at Minsk.
Later in a press stakeout, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan desires to learn from the expertise of Belarus in manufacturing of agricultural and mining equipment.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is an agrarian economy and its sixty-five percent of population resides in rural areas.
He said joint ventures between the companies of both the countries to manufacture agriculture equipment in Pakistan will be a win-win situation. He said we also want to learn from the experience of Belarus to enhance our per acre yield.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the mineral deposits in Pakistan saying these are to the tune of trillions of dollars. He emphasized on cooperation in this sector as well as in defence, textile and public transport.
Shehbaz Sharif thanked Belarus for its decision to invite about one hundred and fifty thousand young and highly skilled manpower from Pakistan. He assured this highly skilled workforce, to be sent to Belarus, will be duly certified.
Earlier, the two sides exchanged signed documents of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.
These agreements and MoUs were related to Interior, Defence, Environment, Trade and Economy.
Dinner reception
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Thursday hosted a dinner at his farm house in Minks in honour of Pakistan Muslim League(N) President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the dinner.
President Lukashenko expressed extraordinary warmth for prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The prime minister thanked President Lukashenko for the warm welcome and hospitality.