11 April 2025, 14:22

Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Minsk expected to give strong impetus to Belarus-Pakistan relations

MINSK, 11 April (BelTA) – The visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Minsk will give a powerful boost to relations between Belarus and Pakistan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Pakistan Andrei Metelitsa told BelTA. The diplomat participated in the Belarus-Pakistan high-level talks that took place at the Palace of Independence in Minsk on 11 April.

The ambassador believes that the visit of Shehbaz Sharif to Minsk and the talks in narrow and expanded formats with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will give impetus to Belarus-Pakistan cooperation in many areas.

Andrei Metelitsa drew attention to the fact that Belarus and Pakistan have been maintaining friendly relations since the Soviet period. The year 2014 was an important milestone for bilateral cooperation, as that year a decision was made to intensify bilateral contacts. Embassies were opened in Islamabad and Minsk.

“After a period of slowdown, our cooperation gained pace again in 2022,” the ambassador said.

Speaking about Belarus' exports to Pakistan, Andrei Metelitsa singled out tractors. Belarusian tractors have been supplied to Pakistan for about 50 years. According to him, at present this export item is especially in demand in Pakistan, as the agricultural sector is crucial for the Pakistani economy. In addition, Belarusian baby food and powdered milk are also well known in Pakistan.

“There are good prospects to supply other goods, too. Cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry is also under discussion now,” the diplomat said. He remarked that the two countries made great strides in many areas of cooperation.