Pakistan and Belarus discuss direct flights, trade corridors

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Communications, Privatisation, and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan announced that after Azerbaijan, Pakistan is working on launching direct flights to Moscow and Belarus as part of efforts to strengthen trade relations and improve regional connectivity. These developments come alongside plans for creating trade corridors to China, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Belarus, which are key priorities for the country.

The announcement was made during a joint meeting between Aleem Khan and Belarusian Minister for Transport Alexei Lyakhnovich, where senior officials from the communications sectors of both countries participated in the talks. Minister Lyakhnovich, who was accompanied by the president of Belarus as part of a high-level delegation, discussed the importance of enhancing connectivity between the two countries, particularly through railways and roads.

“The launch of direct flights and establishing trade corridors are crucial for strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and Belarus. Cross-border trade is essential for the economic growth of both nations,” said Minister Lyakhnovich.

Aleem Khan welcomed the Belarusian delegation’s visit and expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-Belarus relations. He highlighted the significance of deepening both government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) engagements. “We aim to position Belarus as a key investment partner, similar to Azerbaijan and Turkey, as Pakistan offers a wealth of natural resources and a skilled workforce that can yield positive results,” said Khan.

The meeting also focused on the development of trade corridors, with Khan noting the importance of establishing a route to Central Asia, akin to the Karakoram Highway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would facilitate business activities in the region. Both sides agreed to continue efforts to complete pending construction projects of motorways and highways in Pakistan’s communications sector, which will further enhance connectivity.