ISLAMABAD: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.
Prime Minister was accompanied by his elder brother and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the dinner. Shehbaz Sharif is on a two-day official visit Belarus.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan said in a statement that both countries are expected to sign several agreements to boost cooperation.
During his stay, Sharif will meet President Lukashenko to review progress in key areas. Over the past six months, both countries have held several high-level meetings. These include the 8th Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in February 2025 and a ministerial delegation visit to Belarus in April 2025.
“The two sides are expected to sign several agreements to further strengthen cooperation,” the Foreign Office said. It added that the visit highlights the growing partnership between Pakistan and Belarus.
The second Pakistan-Belarus Business Forum took place in Minsk on Thursday. It coincided with Sharif’s arrival. State-run Pakistan Television called the event a key step in boosting bilateral trade and economic ties.
Senior officials, business leaders, and stakeholders from both countries attended the forum.
According to the Foreign Office, trade between Pakistan and Belarus has ranged between $50 and $65 million in recent years.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan addressed the forum. He said the eighth JMC session earlier this year opened new opportunities in trade, agriculture, education, technology, and pharmaceuticals. He added that both governments aim to remove trade barriers and support private sector growth.
Khan identified joint venture potential in textile machinery, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, IT, and e-commerce.
He also announced a new cooperation agreement between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI). He described the agreement as a strong platform for trade and partnerships.
Khan invited Belarusian investors to explore Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones. He said they offer incentives and access to markets with over three billion people. He also noted Pakistan’s recent energy tariff cuts as an added benefit for investors.
TDAP Chief Executive Faiz Ahmed also spoke at the forum. “Today’s forum is not just ceremonial. It marks real progress,” he said.
He highlighted the agreement between TDAP and BelCCI. He said it provides an institutional base for cooperation. This includes trade shows, B2B events, market intelligence sharing, and sector-specific delegations.
“This partnership will help turn today’s momentum into real results in the coming months,” Ahmed said.
