The forthcoming visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Belarus will open a new chapter in the history of the Belarusian-Pakistani interaction, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Belarus Muhemmed Aejaz said in an interview with BelTA. Not so long ago the Ambassador presented his credentials to the Belarusian president and officially started his diplomatic mission in Belarus. The diplomat spoke about his first impressions of Belarus and important mechanisms for the development of bilateral ties.
Mr Ambassador, you arrived in Minsk not so long ago and are just beginning your tenure in the country. Will you please share your first impressions?
Belarus has left a truly remarkable impression on me since my arrival. It is a fascinating country, with its beautiful villages, expansive forests, and a culture that radiates warmth and hospitality.
What has struck me the most, however, is the exceptional quality of municipal services, the efficiency of the public transportation system, the well-maintained infrastructure, and the strong focus on public safety.
I can confidently say that Belarus is one of the safest countries in the world, where one feels a constant sense of security and protection.
So far, my visit has been limited to Minsk, but I am eager to explore other major cities in Belarus, especially during the warmer months. From what I have seen and heard, Belarus is a nature lover’s paradise, offering a refreshing escape for both the mind and body. I have also noticed a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultural influences in the city’s infrastructure, which adds to its distinct character.
How do you assess the current level of development of ties between Belarus and Pakistan?
I feel incredibly fortunate to be here at such a critical juncture in the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Belarus. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our relationship has grown at an unprecedented pace.
High-level visits between our two countries have become increasingly frequent, with the most recent being the visit of the President of Belarus to Pakistan in November 2024. As a result, a comprehensive cooperation roadmap for 2025-2027 and a number of other international documents were signed.
All in all, 100 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) have been signed, reflecting the depth and breadth of our collaboration. I am optimistic about the future of our partnership and look forward to contributing to its continued growth and success during my time here.
Mr Ambassador, the Prime Minister of Pakistan is set to pay a return visit to Belarus. When is this going to happen and what do you expect from the visit?
The leaders of our countries have built friendly relations and see eye to eye with each other, which is confirmed by regular visits and meetings at the highest level. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is expected to visit Belarus in the coming months. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, and industrial cooperation. Most of the groundwork was laid during recent engagements.
What were these engagements?
First of all, it was the 8th Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). It was held in Minsk in February and was co-chaired by Pakistan's Federal Minister for Commerce H.E Jam Kamal Khan and Belarus' Energy Minister Aleksei Kushnarenko.
Meaningful discussions were held to thrash out cooperation plans in economy, trade and technology, and to implement the arrangements reached by the leaders of Belarus and Pakistan. The discussions were attended by senior officials and diplomats from both countries, who focused on issues such as labor migration, industrial cooperation and agriculture.
The session highlighted significant progress in industrial cooperation, particularly in joint ventures for energy-efficient tractors and electric buses. Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila and Belarus’ MTZ will expand their partnership in agricultural machinery, transportation, and industrial equipment.
In agriculture, both countries pledged to enhance cooperation in seed production, livestock, veterinary medicine, and fisheries, emphasizing food security and increased trade in agricultural products. Additionally, collaboration in healthcare and pharmaceuticals was discussed, with a focus on joint production, distribution, and training programs to ensure compliance with international standards.
Pakistan and Belarus also agreed to strengthen ties in education, science, and technology, with plans to implement agreements between their respective academies and promote vocational training through collaboration between Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and the Belarusian National Institute of Professional Education.
Environmental sustainability was another key focus, with both parties committing to an action plan for environmental protection. Media, tourism, and sports cooperation were also discussed, alongside efforts to foster correspondent banking arrangements to facilitate financial transactions. The session concluded with an agreement to hold the next such meeting in Islamabad in 2026, marking a continued commitment to deepening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for mutual growth.
All this underscores Pakistan's firm commitment to further strengthening ties with Belarus, promoting broader economic cooperation and seeking new avenues of partnership for mutual development.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Belarus continue to develop in the form of constructive dialogue based on the Islamabad Declaration on Pakistan-Belarus Partnership and the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 2015. I am confident that these relations will be further strengthened for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Alina Grishkevich
Photos by the author of the article,
BelTA
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