Belarus President Lukashenko hosts dinner for Pakistan PM

MINSK: Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko hosted a dinner on Thursday in honour of Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif at his farmhouse.

The dinner was also attended Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

During the dinner, Shehbaz expressed his gratitude from the warm welcome and hospitality extended by the Belarussian long-term president.

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Upon his arrival at the Minsk International Airport, he was welcomed by Belarusian Prime Minister, Roman Golovchenko and officials from the Pakistani embassy in Minsk.

In a traditional Belarussian gesture, Shehbaz was presented with the korovai, a decorated loaf accompanied by salt.

Shehbaz’s visit to the isolated former Soviet state is part of a two-day official trip aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the sanctions-hit Belarus and inflation-weary Pakistan.

The visit is expected to result in the signing of multiple corporation agreements. Shehbaz took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), to express his anticipation for the official engagements, particularly in collaboration with Lukashenko.

The relationship between Pakistan and Belarus took an unexpectedly friendly turn in recent years, as both countries veering from economic challenges, moved closer together in an increasingly isolated global stage.

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The first serious step in recent years towards normalising ties came in 2019, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan met Lukashenko on the side-lines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan .

The meeting established a foundation for increased political exchanges and economic cooperation between the two states.

The momentum continued with Lukashenko’s three-day visit to Pakistan from November 25 till November 28, 2024. During the visit, he was received at the Nur Khan Airbase by Shehbaz and other key cabinet ministers.

The visit included a business forum that facilitated agreements worth $17 million. A Comprehensive Cooperation Roadmap for 2025-27 was also inked, covering sectors from trade, science to technology, environmental protection and even halal trade.

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Shehbaz’s current visit is expected to further reinforce the trajectory. The PM is expected to engage in discussions aimed at deepening ties in trade, commerce, education, and culture. He is also expected to sign several MoUs.