MINSK, September 24: Chairman Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani held a high-level meeting with President of Belarus Aleksandr Grigorievich Lukashenko in Minsk, discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across political, parliamentary, economic, agricultural, technological and educational sectors.During the meeting, Gilani conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from the people and Parliament of Pakistan to the people of Belarus and thanked President Lukashenko for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the Pakistani parliamentary delegation.The Chairman Senate reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its longstanding and friendly ties with Belarus, describing the relationship as rooted in mutual respect, cooperation and solidarity.Gilani emphasized the need to translate existing bilateral understandings into tangible economic opportunities, particularly through increased interaction between the business communities of both countries, investment forums and the Belarus-Pakistan Business Council.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic geographical position as a gateway to South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, he encouraged Belarusian businesses to explore Pakistan’s connectivity, logistics and regional market potential.He also identified opportunities for industrial cooperation, joint ventures, technology transfer, research and development, and manufacturing partnerships.Agriculture and food security also featured prominently in the discussions. Gilani highlighted opportunities to increase exports of Pakistani rice, fruits and vegetables to Belarus while promoting cooperation in seed production, livestock, fisheries and agricultural technology.He welcomed Belarus’s positive consideration of Pakistan’s proposal to establish a joint agricultural machinery testing facility.
The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in education, science and technology, information technology, engineering, vocational training and research, with Gilani encouraging stronger institutional linkages between universities and research institutions of the two countries.On parliamentary diplomacy, the Chairman Senate stressed the importance of regular parliamentary exchanges, cooperation between committees, sharing of legislative experience and reciprocal staff exchanges to further enhance mutual understanding and trust.He also appreciated Belarus’s participation in the inaugural Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) held in Islamabad in November 2025, describing parliamentary diplomacy as an important complement to executive-level engagement.
Gilani further emphasized continued cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus at regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, particularly on connectivity, food security, technology and sustainable development.The Chairman Senate expressed confidence that sustained high-level engagement, stronger parliamentary and economic cooperation, and increased people-to-people contacts would further consolidate the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Belarus.He thanked President Lukashenko for the hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation and expressed hope that bilateral relations would continue to grow in letter and spirit.
