14 Apr 389 views

Belarus offers to host 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Belarus has offered to host over 150,000 young, highly skilled Pakistani workers in a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations and create job opportunities. This initiative is part of Belarus's efforts to involve Pakistani professionals in its nation-building endeavors.

President Aleksandr Lukashenko invited Prime Minister Sharif to announce his two-day official visit to Belarus. Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin and officials from the Pakistani embassy in Belarus welcomed the Prime Minister upon his arrival in Minsk. A high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, accompanied him.

Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Prime Minister Sharif referred to the offer as a "gift" for the people of Pakistan. He emphasised that the initiative would benefit the Belarusian economy and 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 be a valuable asset to Belarus," he stated during a joint press stakeout with President Lukashenko.

Reflecting on President Lukashenko's visit to Pakistan in 2015-16, Prime Minister Sharif noted that it laid the foundation for a long journey of friendship and cooperation in areas of mutual interest between the two countries. He expressed Pakistan's interest in benefiting from Belarus's experience, particularly in agriculture. "Pakistan is an agrarian country with 65% of its population residing in rural areas. We need your expertise to increase our per-acre yield by utilizing modern methodologies in the sector," he remarked.

Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the potential for joint ventures, stating that companies from both Pakistan and Belarus will benefit from this. He also acknowledged Belarus's expertise in manufacturing mining equipment, noting that Pakistan possesses mineral deposits worth "trillions of dollars," presenting an opportunity for both countries to become significant partners in this area.

President Lukashenko, welcoming Prime Minister Sharif, emphasised Belarus's importance in fostering strong ties with Pakistan. He highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral collaboration in diverse sectors, including trade, industry, agriculture, and technology. Expressing confidence in the high-level engagement, President Lukashenko stated that it would pave the way for a long-term strategic partnership and mutual growth.

Over the past six months, a series of high-level bilateral engagements, including the 8th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in February 2025 and a subsequent visit by a high-powered mixed ministerial delegation to Belarus in April 2025, have laid the groundwork for this productive visit.

In November of the previous year, Pakistan and Belarus signed a three-year, wide-ranging 'Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation' agreement aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries. This roadmap was among 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements signed during talks between Prime Minister Sharif and President Lukashenko, followed by a delegation-level meeting.

MoUs Signed Between Pakistan and Belarus

During the visit, Pakistan and Belarus signed a series of agreements and MoUs to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, including defense, commerce, and environmental protection. Notable agreements include

The two countries have signed a readmission agreement and an agreement on cooperation.
An agreement on cooperation between the defense ministries, with documents exchanged by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.
The State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus and the Ministry of Defence Production have developed a program (roadmap) of military-technical cooperation for the years 2025-2027.
There are agreements for cooperation on environmental protection, postal services, business support, trade development, and collaboration between trade bodies.

These agreements signify a commitment to deepening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for mutual growth and development.

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