ISLAMABAD : 04 June 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that Pakistan desired to strengthen economic partnership with Belarus and benefit from the country’s expertise in agricultural machinery manufacturing.
The prime minister, in a meeting with a seven-member delegation led by Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Victor Khrenin, which called on him here, said that Pakistan and Belarus enjoyed excellent bilateral ties which were strengthening over time.
The delegation included Belarusian Ambassador to Pakistan Andrei Metelitsa, Commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Major General Andrei Yulianovich Lukyanovich and officials from the Belarusian defense ministry.
The prime minister said that cooperation with Belarus in information technology and defense sectors would be further strengthened.
He recalled that during his visit to Belarus this year, several memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed, which would contribute to further expand bilateral relations.
He also expressed good wishes for Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Apprising the delegation of Pakistan’s stance regarding the recent tension in South Asia, he said that Pakistan offered India an impartial investigation into the Pehelgam incident, but instead of responding positively, India demonstrated aggression by attacking Pakistan and targeting civilian populations, resulting in the martyrdom of innocent civilians.
Conveying President Lukashenko’s good wishes to the prime minister, the Belarusian defense minister said that they desired peace and stability in South Asia.
He said that the delegation’s visit was aimed at further advancing the progress on MoUs and agreements between the two countries.
The minister appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz’s personal interest in strengthening bilateral relations and also thanked him for the warm welcome and hospitality.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense Production Reza Hayat Haraj, and relevant senior government officials.
Defence Minister of Belarus Visits Pakistan to Enhance Bilateral Defence Cooperation
He held comprehensive meeting with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on 05 June The visit marked a significant step in advancing defence diplomacy and mutual cooperation between the two friendly nations.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of bilateral interest, including regional security, defence collaboration, and joint initiatives in defence production and technology transfer. Emphasis was placed on enhancing the institutional framework for regular strategic dialogue and technical cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.
In the context of the recent standoff between Pakistan and India, the Defence Minister reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to peace and does not seek escalation, particularly between two nuclear-armed states. The attack by India was irresponsible and provocative, and Pakistan’s response was guided by restraint and responsibility.
The Defence Minister of Belarus reaffirmed Belarus’s full support for Pakistan’s policy of peace, stability, and mutual respect, and appreciated Pakistan’s role as a responsible nation committed to maintaining regional harmony.
The visit concluded with both countries reaffirming their shared resolve to maintain close coordination on regional security, defence industry cooperation, and multilateral forums for peace and stability.
Lt Gen Viktor Khrenin called on Secretary Defence, Lt Gen Muhammad Ali HI (M) Retd.
The meeting was focused on strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral defence collaboration, with particular emphasis on special operations, counter terrorism and training of servicemen. Discussions were also held on expanding cooperation in defence-industrial domain.
The visiting delegation appreciated Pakistan’s role in UN peacekeeping operations and expressed readiness to learn from each other’s experience.
Two sides also discussed the opening of a direct flight route between Islamabad and Minsk, aimed at strengthening people-to-people contacts, diplomatic engagement, and boosting bilateral trade and economic opportunities.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction over the growing trajectory of defence ties and agreeing to continue dialogue through established channels.
