by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal
Pakistan and Belarus have maintained a cordial relationship characterized by mutual respect and shared interests since establishing diplomatic ties in February 3, 1994. Over the years, both nations have made significant efforts to strengthen their bilateral relations, with high-level visits, bilateral agreements, and initiatives to boost trade and economic cooperation.
A notable chapter in this relationship unfolded in August 2024 when a parliamentary delegation from Pakistan, led by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, visited Belarus. The visit, spanning from August 19 to August 22, marked a crucial step in reinforcing the longstanding ties between the two countries. The delegation’s key focus was on enhancing bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and fostering inter-parliamentary ties.
The delegation included prominent members of the National Assembly, such as Mr. Waseem Qadir, Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, Syed Hussain Tariq and Syed Hafeezuddin. Their visit included several high-level meetings, including a significant discussion with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on August 20, 2024. During this meeting, both sides expressed a strong desire to deepen their historic friendship, focusing particularly on trade and parliamentary cooperation.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening its friendly relations with Belarus. He expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties, highlighting the importance of building on the solid foundation laid by previous agreements and memorandums of understanding. The Speaker also stressed the role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two nations.
President Alexander Lukashenko reciprocated these sentiments, expressing Belarus’s strong commitment to close bilateral relations with Pakistan. He also expressed a desire to expand cooperation across various sectors, recognizing the potential for mutual benefits. The President acknowledged Pakistan’s consistent support for Belarus’s full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which was recently achieved, and looked forward to deeper engagement with Pakistan under the SCO framework.
In a later meeting with Igor Sergeyenko, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belarus, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed gratitude for the invitation and emphasized the significance of the visit, especially in light of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He highlighted the importance of expanding the legal framework for cooperation, including revising existing agreements to make them more effective. Additionally, Ayaz Sadiq reiterated Pakistan’s support for Belarus in its bid to join the SCO and other international bodies where Pakistan holds membership.
The visit continued the momentum built by previous engagements between Pakistan and Belarus. It followed the successful 6th Round of Bilateral Political Consultation (BPC) held in Islamabad on July 3, 2024, which further solidified political cooperation between the two countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding interactions in all spheres of cooperation, laying the groundwork for future bilateral initiatives.
Economic and trade relations were a significant focus during the visit. Both Pakistan and Belarus acknowledged the need for comprehensive and broad-based economic cooperation, which has become a cornerstone of their bilateral relations. Despite a decline in bilateral trade in 2022, a recovery in 2023, with trade reaching US$ 50 million, was a positive development. The 6th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Minsk in January 2023 explored various cooperation areas, including textiles, automotive industries, agricultural equipment, pharmaceuticals, and banking. The 7th Session of the JMC, scheduled for September 2024 in Islamabad, is expected to further enhance economic ties.
A key issue raised during the visit was the need to liberalize business visas for Pakistani nationals. Currently, Belarus only issues visas to Pakistanis invited by residents, Belarusian enterprises, or the Embassy. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized the importance of easing visa restrictions to facilitate greater interaction between business communities, which would strengthen economic ties.
Inter-parliamentary cooperation was also highlighted as a crucial aspect of the visit. The exchange of parliamentary visits and the active role of parliamentary friendship groups were seen as essential to strengthening bilateral relations. The reactivation of the Pakistan-Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Pakistan, with Mr. Junaid Anwar Chaudhary as its convener, was a positive step towards increasing people-to-people contacts and deepening the friendship between the two nations.
Educational and cultural cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions. Pakistan is keen to promote effective linkages between higher educational institutions in both countries, with around 15 institutions already having signed agreements with Belarusian universities. Additionally, cultural exchange initiatives, and art exhibitions organized by the Pakistani Embassy in Minsk, have played a vital role in fostering mutual understanding and cultural appreciation.
As the visit concluded, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, particularly the reaffirmation of Pakistan and Belarus’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The visit revived the speaker-level parliamentary exchanges between the two countries, which had been pending since 2017, and paved the way for future cooperation in various fields.
In summary, the official visit of the Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Belarus was a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations. It underscored the importance of diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange in building stronger, more resilient ties. As both countries continue to collaborate on multiple fronts, this visit will be remembered as a significant milestone in the history of Pakistan-Belarus relations.
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