Minsk (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that Belarus had extended a generous offer to invite over 150,000 young, highly skilled Pakistani workers to contribute to the nation-building efforts of Belarus.
Calling it a “gift” for the people of Pakistan, the prime minister expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting that this initiative will not only benefit the Belarusian economy but also provide meaningful livelihoods to Pakistani youth.
“I assure you that the skilled Pakistani workforce, duly certified both by international standards and through national accreditation, will serve as a valuable asset to Belarus,” the prime minister said while speaking at a joint press stakeout with President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Recalling the visit of Aleksandr Lukashenko to Pakistan in 2015-16, the prime minister said this visit laid the foundation of long journey of friendship and cooperation in areas of mutual interests.
The prime minister expressed the government’s interest in benefiting from the experience of Belarus in various areas especially the agriculture.
“Pakistan is an agrarian country and 65% population reside in rural areas. We need your expertise to increase our per acre yield by utilizing the modern methodologies in the sector,” he said adding that Pakistan needed to have joint ventures between Pakistan and Belarus companies. “The companies from both Pakistan and Belarus will have a win win situation in this regard.”
The prime minister also highlighted the Belarusian expertise in manufacturing equipments of mining sector, saying that Pakistan had mineral deposits worth trillions of dollars and both countries could become great partners in this sector.
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko on the occasion emphasized the importance his country placed on fostering strong ties with Pakistan.
He said that Belarus attached great significance to its relations with Pakistan and looked forward to deepening cooperation on multiple fronts.
Welcoming the Pakistani premier, President Lukashenko highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral collaboration in diverse sectors, including trade, industry, agriculture, and technology.
He expressed confidence that the high-level engagement would pave the way for long-term strategic partnership and mutual growth.
The Belarusian president noted that the visit of PM Shehbaz Sharif would serve as a catalyst for opening new avenues of cooperation between the two nations.
President Lukashenko stressed the need to explore untapped areas of partnership and to build upon the existing friendly relations.
Meanwhile, both sides formalized their intentions by exchanging signed agreements and memorandums of understanding.
These covered various domains including internal security, environmental collaboration, economic exchange, and defense cooperation—laying the groundwork for a more dynamic and multifaceted relationship between Islamabad and Minsk.
Earlier on Friday, PM Shehbaz was given a guard of honour at the Independence Palace of Belarus where he arrived to meet President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko.
As the prime minister arrived at the venue of the formal welcome reception, he was warmly received by President Lukashenko.
The national anthems of Pakistan and Belarus were played as both the prime minister and the Belarusian president stood at the salute dais.
On Thursday, PM Shehbaz arrived in Minsk on a two-day official visit to Belarus from April 10 to 11, 2025, at the invitation of President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Over the past six months, a series of high-level bilateral engagements including the 8th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in February this year have laid the groundwork for a productive visit.
