Report : Tazeen Akhtar + Rubab Tabassum
Pictures: Ramzan Mughal + Sultan Bashir
Federal Minister Human Rights Mr. Riaz Hussain Peerzada has said that Belarus and Pakistan enjoy cordial and close relations that can be transformed into meaningful cooperation in trade, industry, science, agriculture and other sectors. Belarus and Pakistan are working together on international fora for peace and stability in the World. Pakistan is looking forward keenly to the visit of The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko.
He was addressing to a selected gathering of diplomats, government officials, representatives of business community and media persons at a reception hosted by Mr. & Mrs Andrei Metelista, Ambassador of Republic of Belarus in Pakistan at Serena Hotels on 04 July 2023. Federal Minister was chief guest in the celebration of the Independence Day (Republic Day) of Belarus. Federal Minister Defense Production Israr Tareen, SAPM to Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Tariq Fatimi also graced the reception with his presence.
The President H.E. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, visited Pakistan from 4-6 October, 2016, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. President Lukashenko was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, five Ministers, other high level officials and a 23-men business delegation. The Prime Minister and Belarusian President signed a Joint Statement; issued a commemorative postage stamp and jointly inaugurated the fourth Pakistan-Belarus Business and Investment Forum. Both sides signed 14 Agreements and MoUs in the areas of finance, trade, aviation, science & technology, vocational training and education.
Prime Minister meets President of Belarus on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Samarkand
At the reception, the Minister said that Pakistan is keen to enhance bilateral multifaceted cooperation with Republic of Belarus. He expressed hope for the bright future of mutual ties in all spheres between two countries.
Dean of Diplomatic Corp, Ambassador Turkmenistan, H.E Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassadors H.E Yerzhan Kistafin of Kazakhstan, H.E Oybek Arif Usmanov of Uzbekistan, H.E Khazar Farhadov of Azerbaijan, H.E Dr Mehmet Pacaci of Turkiye, H.E Ulanbek Totuiaev of Kyrgyz Republic, H.E Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam of Iran, H.E Mohamed Karmoun of Morocco, H.E Hamid Abbas Lafta of Iraq,H.E Mohammad Azhar Mazlan High Commissioner of Malaysia, DHM India, High Commissioners of Bangladesh, Maldives, Kenya, H.E Tapas Adhikari of Nepal, H.E Nguyen Tien Phong of Vietnam, Ms. Pang Chunxue, Charge’d Affairs and many other attended the event.
Ambassador of Russian Federation H.E Danila Ganich was not present in the reception but many other Russian diplomats participated in the celebration. It is worth mentioning that Belarus is close ally of Russian Federation especially in Russia Ukraine Crisis. Therefore the absence of Russian Ambassador was noted. Although it was not of a bid deal because ambassadors have their own engagements.
The host Ambassador welcomed the guest and shared the history of the republic day. The Republic of Belarus celebrate its Independence Day (Republic Day) on 03 of July every year. This public holiday is established in honour of the liberation of Minsk ,the capital of Belarus from Nazi invaders. July 3rd is a historically significant date in the fate of Belarus, which has become a symbol of freedom and peace.
This holiday is a tribute to the generations of Belarusians who for centuries have defended the right to live in their native land and independently determine their own destiny. It preserves the memory of the unprecedented feat of the Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War, demonstrating historical maturity, national dignity and the firm will of the heirs of the victorious people to strengthen their statehood.
The Republic of Belarus is located in the center of Europe. The shortest transport links connecting the CIS countries with the states of Western Europe run through its territory. Belarus has a common border with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine.
The Embassy of Republic of Belarus arranged an exhibition in which landscape, tourist sites, industrial development, agricultural innovation, scientific research programs and other informative photos were exhibited during the reception for the knowledge of the guests. A video documentary was also screened to express the ongoing growth in different sectors in the Republic.
