Author
Khalid Taimur Akram
Executive Director,
Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared (PRCCSF), Islamabad
Pakistan Welcomes Brother Aleksandr Lukashenko
The historic visit marked a new chapter in Pakistan-Belarus relations as the two countries reinforced their commitment to fostering cooperation across various sectors, including trade, economy, culture, and technology. Belarus President His Excellency Aleksandr Lukashenko paid an official visit to Pakistan from 25-27 November 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. This visit marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations as they celebrated 30 years of diplomatic ties.
The three-day visit witnessed a beginning with delegation-level talks that covered an extensive range of topics, from trade and economic cooperation to cultural and scientific exchanges. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and H.E President Lukashenko signed 15 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), aimed at fostering collaboration in sectors such as trade, e-commerce, the environment, health, vocational training, and halal trade. Notably, the signing ceremony included an extradition treaty, further solidifying legal frameworks for cooperation.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The signing of the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation for 2025-2027 highlighted the commitment to enhancing bilateral ties. This roadmap provides a structured framework for advancing collaboration in key sectors, including agriculture, technology, and industrial development. During the visit, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of Pakistan-Belarus relations, emphasizing the importance of sustaining momentum through high-level engagements and institutional cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed President Lukashenko as a great friend of Pakistan, lauding his proactive approach to turning bilateral discussions into actionable steps. Similarly, H.E President Lukashenko commended Pakistan’s pragmatic leadership and reiterated Belarus’s readiness to share its advanced technologies with Pakistan. He specifically expressed interest in purchasing Pakistani textile products and exploring opportunities in agriculture, IT, and heavy machinery manufacturing. The collaboration between Pakistan and Belarus extends beyond trade and economy. Both nations agreed to expand inter-parliamentary exchanges, strengthen educational ties, and promote cultural exchanges. These efforts aim to enhance people-to-people connections, fostering a deeper understanding between the two nations. Initiatives such as student exchange programs and joint research projects between universities will further consolidate this relationship.
A Belarus-Pakistan Business Forum was organized, bringing together over 30 Belarusian companies and nearly 100 Pakistani counterparts. This forum facilitated discussions on potential joint ventures, including the establishment of a tractor plant and a veterinary medicine facility in Pakistan. Both sides also explored opportunities for collaboration in the mechanization of agriculture and the production of high-tech agricultural machinery.
Defense and Regional Security
H.E President Lukashenko’s visit also included discussions on defense cooperation. During a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, the two sides explored prospects for collaboration in defense manufacturing and regional security. General Asim Munir expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for Belarus’s contributions to global peace and stability, while President Lukashenko praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their role in combating terrorism and fostering regional stability.
Shared Commitments within the SCO
Belarus’s recent accession as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was a focal point of discussion. Both leaders acknowledged the mutual benefits of this development, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizing Pakistan’s early support for Belarus’s entry. The two sides committed to leveraging the SCO platform to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration.
Expanding Trade and Economic Cooperation
Recognizing the untapped potential in trade, the two nations agreed to reduce barriers and improve market access. The signing of an MoU between Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Belarus’s Beltamozhservice is expected to streamline transportation routes, enhancing trade efficiency. Both governments pledged to encourage private sector collaborations, including the establishment of seminars on «Doing Business with Each Other» to foster understanding and reduce trade challenges. Agreements were reached to enhance trade in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and over-the-counter items.
Cultural and Academic Collaborations
Cultural exchange programs and academic collaborations formed an essential part of the bilateral agenda. Both nations committed to promoting art, music, literature, and other cultural activities to boost mutual understanding. Plans for joint research projects and student exchange programs between universities were also finalized, ensuring long-term academic cooperation.
H.E President Lukashenko’s visit included a formal welcome ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House and private engagements with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. During a luncheon hosted by Nawaz Sharif, the Belarusian president shared fond memories of past interactions and discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation. Lukashenko invited Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Belarus, underscoring the warm ties between the two nations. The Prime Minister also presented H.E President Lukashenko with a photo album commemorating the visit.
Looking ahead, both sides expressed optimism about the prospects of their partnership. H.E President Lukashenko extended an invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Belarus, providing an opportunity to build on the progress achieved during this visit. The establishment of joint ventures in sectors like automotive manufacturing, agricultural machinery, and information technology will boost industrial growth and innovation in both countries. Belarus’s advanced capabilities in agricultural manufacturing and Pakistan’s agriculture-based economy present a natural synergy. Initiatives such as educational programs in agricultural machinery manufacturing and the expansion of Belarusian machinery sales networks in Pakistan will further strengthen this collaboration.
The historic visit of His Excellency President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Pakistan marks a turning point in bilateral relations. As Pakistan and Belarus move forward, their evolving partnership promises mutual benefits and contributions to regional and global development. The visit not only celebrated three decades of friendship but also laid the groundwork for a vibrant and enduring relationship between the two nations. During his visit, Pakistan termed him as a brother and great friend of Pakistan.