Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit to strengthen ties between Belarus and Pakistan through agreements in various sectors of the economy. The President, leading a high-profile 68-member delegation, was received at Nur Khan Airbase by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The Foreign Office stated that President Lukashenko will hold comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Sharif to explore avenues for bilateral collaboration. Several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be finalized during the visit. The Belarusian delegation includes the Foreign Minister, Ministers of Energy, Justice, Transport, Natural Resources, Emergency Situations, and the Chairman of the Military Industry Committee. Additionally, 43 prominent Belarusian business leaders are accompanying the delegation, highlighting the economic focus of the visit.
Earlier this year, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko visited Islamabad for the SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting, reflecting the growing interaction between the two nations.
However, President Lukashenko’s visit coincides with significant political unrest in Pakistan. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has issued a “do-or-die” protest call, demanding the release of its leaders, including founder Imran Khan, and opposing the February 8 elections and judiciary-related constitutional amendments. Authorities have sealed Islamabad’s Red Zone to manage the protests.
This visit marks a critical moment for fostering economic collaboration amidst domestic political turmoil.