Lukashenko held meeting with Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Astana
The Head of State warmly thanked Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s assistance in Belarus’ joining the SCO, and outlined plans for further development of bilateral co-operation.
“Thank you for the friendly atmosphere and warmth with which we always meet at various international forums, including at this event,” the President noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also said that he would definitely try to visit Pakistan by the end of the year, “A short plan of our organisational activities this year is being formed. Members of the intergovernmental commission of our countries will meet in September. In October, our PM will visit Pakistan as part of the SCO Heads of Government meeting. I’d really like you to take the time to meet him. At this meeting, you could finally consider our action plan for the future, and during my visit to Pakistan by the end of this year, we could approve this roadmap.”
The Belarusian leader is convinced that the period when the two parties ‘were looking closely, studying each other and trying to consider those areas in which we could liaise, is over’.
“It’s time for us shift to concrete measures to establish the closest ties between our countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined.
In 2023, the trade turnover stood at $48.1m, with exports reaching $31.9m. The growth of Belarusian export supplies to Pakistan in the last two years is associated with the restoration of supplies of our tractors and fertilisers. In 2019-2024, Belarus’ exports to Pakistan primarily relied on tractors, potash fertilisers, synthetic yarns, tyres, baby food, specific products, cellulose and pharmaceuticals.
Work is currently underway with the Pakistani side to co-ordinate a draft roadmap for increasing trade turnover between the Republic of Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 2024-2026.
