Pakistan pursues deeper economic links with Belarus

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Belarus is being touted as a pivotal step towards increased bilateral trade, with Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighting the substantial participation of Pakistani firms.

Speaking to reporters in Belarus on Friday, Khan said the presence of a large Pakistani business delegation and encouraging response from the Belarusian side is expected to yield long-term benefits. He added that both countries are eager to elevate their long-standing bilateral relationship into stronger trade and investment links.

Khan noted that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has shown strong interest in Pakistan, referencing recent meetings with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and an official invitation extended to both Sharif and the PM to visit Belarus.

The minister said Pakistan is actively working to strengthen both government-to-government and business-to-business relations, but highlighted the lack of direct air connectivity as a key hurdle. “Direct flights are essential for expanding business activities and facilitating trade,” he said.

Positioning Belarus as a strategic gateway to European markets, Khan said the Pakistani business community is eager to tap into trade opportunities. He also revealed that ahead of the prime minister’s trip, he had visited Belarus earlier this month and held talks with officials from the energy, transport and communications ministries.

During that visit, he toured a major tractor manufacturing facility, sparking Pakistan’s interest in establishing a similar plant domestically.Khan expressed optimism that the current visit will open new avenues for cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus, while also enhancing access to broader Eastern European and global markets.