Minsk, April 11, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that Belarus has extended an offer to welcome over 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers, a development he described as a “gift” for the people of Pakistan. The initiative is aimed at bolstering Belarus’s nation-building efforts while opening new employment avenues for Pakistan’s youth.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, calling it a milestone in bilateral relations.
“This initiative will not only contribute to Belarus’s economy but also provide dignified livelihoods to our young, talented workforce,” said PM Shehbaz.
“Our skilled workforce, accredited both internationally and nationally, will prove to be a valuable asset to Belarus.”
The prime minister is currently on an official visit to Belarus at the invitation of President Lukashenko. The visit follows Lukashenko’s trip to Pakistan in November 2024, during which the two nations signed a series of MoUs and agreements to deepen cooperation across various sectors.
Recalling President Lukashenko’s previous visits to Pakistan in 2015 and 2016, PM Shehbaz said those engagements laid the foundation for a robust, long-term friendship.
He particularly highlighted Belarus’s advanced expertise in agriculture, an area of keen interest for Pakistan.
“As an agrarian country with 65% of our population living in rural areas, we need Belarus’s support in improving per-acre yield through modern farming techniques,” he said.
PM Shehbaz also underscored the potential for joint ventures between Pakistani and Belarusian companies, especially in mining, where Pakistan holds trillions of dollars’ worth of untapped mineral deposits. He welcomed Belarus’s capabilities in manufacturing mining equipment and proposed deeper collaboration in this area.
President Aleksandr Lukashenko, in his remarks, emphasized Belarus’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan and fostering strategic cooperation across multiple fronts including trade, agriculture, industry, and technology.
“We attach great importance to our relations with Pakistan and are confident that this high-level engagement will unlock new avenues for mutual growth and cooperation,” President Lukashenko said.
He expressed hope that the visit would serve as a catalyst for long-term partnership, enabling both countries to explore untapped areas of cooperation and build upon their existing friendly ties.
