Minsk, April 10, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Minsk, Belarus on Thursday to begin a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. The visit comes at the formal invitation of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and marks a significant step in the growing diplomatic and trade engagement between Pakistan and Belarus.
Upon his arrival at Minsk International Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz was warmly received by Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin, along with senior officials and members of the Pakistani diplomatic mission stationed in Belarus. The high-level Pakistani delegation accompanying the Prime Minister includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, underscoring the importance Pakistan attaches to this diplomatic engagement.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit represents a continuation of the robust relationship established between the two nations and follows a series of high-profile interactions over the past six months. Notably, President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Pakistan in November 2024, a milestone event that paved the way for expanded bilateral cooperation in trade, technology, education, and defense.
“The Prime Minister’s visit to Belarus reflects the growing importance of Pakistan-Belarus ties and aims to build on recent progress made through diplomatic channels and economic forums,” stated the Foreign Office in a press release issued earlier today. During his stay, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet with President Lukashenko to hold comprehensive discussions on mutual interests, including trade and investment, energy cooperation, and regional and international issues of shared concern.
As part of the official agenda, Pakistan and Belarus are expected to sign a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that will serve to institutionalize their cooperation across various sectors. These agreements are anticipated to cover key areas such as industrial collaboration, information technology, agriculture, and higher education, reflecting a shift towards a more diversified economic partnership.
The timing of the visit is particularly significant. In February 2025, the 8th Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was held, where ministers and officials from both sides identified new areas for strategic cooperation. This was followed by a high-powered mixed ministerial delegation from Pakistan that traveled to Belarus in early April 2025 to finalize preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Observers view the visit as a follow-up to those developments, reinforcing the diplomatic groundwork that has been laid over the past year. Prime Minister Shehbaz is also expected to extend his congratulations to President Lukashenko on his recent re-election, further cementing political goodwill between the two nations.
Sources have indicated that prior to his upcoming visit to London, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif may also visit Belarus, which would add further momentum to Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in Eastern Europe.
During President Lukashenko’s visit to Islamabad in November 2024, both sides emphasized their satisfaction with the steady and positive development of bilateral relations over the past decade. The visit had also included the signing of eight key MoUs during the Pakistan-Belarus Business Forum, covering sectors such as trade promotion, industrial cooperation, and joint ventures, which now appear set to be operationalized and expanded during this latest visit.
As Pakistan looks to diversify its trade partnerships and attract foreign investment, the strengthening of ties with Belarus represents a strategic move. Both nations appear committed to a future built on mutual respect, economic cooperation, and shared interests in regional stability.