Minsk: In a major step towards strengthening bilateral ties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced that Belarus has extended a generous offer to welcome over 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers as part of a new cooperation initiative between the two countries.
Describing the move as a “gift” for the people of Pakistan, the prime minister expressed deep gratitude to the Belarusian leadership, noting that the initiative would create meaningful livelihood opportunities for Pakistani youth while supporting Belarus’ nation-building efforts.
Speaking at a joint press stakeout alongside President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk, PM Shehbaz assured that Pakistan’s internationally certified workforce would serve as a valuable asset. “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,” he stated.
The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, trade, industry, food security, and defence. PM Shehbaz specifically expressed Pakistan’s interest in leveraging Belarus’ expertise in agriculture to increase crop yields and modernize farming practices.
The leaders agreed on joint ventures for manufacturing agricultural machinery and electric buses, along with enhancing collaboration in the mining equipment and technology sectors. Pakistan, the prime minister noted, holds mineral deposits worth trillions of dollars, presenting lucrative opportunities for bilateral industrial cooperation.
President Lukashenko welcomed the Pakistani delegation warmly, emphasizing Belarus’ commitment to deepening strategic relations with Pakistan. He stressed the importance of exploring new areas of partnership and expanding collaboration in trade, technology, and business-to-business linkages.
The visit also witnessed the signing of a series of agreements and MoUs, covering a wide range of areas including defence, commerce, environmental protection, and postal services. Key agreements included a Readmission Agreement, a Military-Technical Cooperation roadmap (2025–2027), and new frameworks for cooperation between the interior and defence ministries.
Highlighting the visit on social media, PM Shehbaz remarked, “The agreement to send over 150,000 highly skilled Pakistani workers to Belarus, along with enhanced cooperation in agriculture and joint ventures in manufacturing, will help transform our enduring bond of friendship into a lasting partnership.”
With this new accord, both nations have set the stage for a long-term strategic partnership that is expected to deliver mutual economic gains and stronger diplomatic relations.
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