68-member Belarusian delegation arrives

A 68-member Belarusian delegation, including the country's five ministers, parliamentarians and leading businessmen arrived in Islamabad on Sunday, ahead of the three-day visit by President Alexander Lukashenko.

According to the Foreign Office, President Lukashenko will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from November 25-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During his stay in Islamabad, Lukashenko will hold extensive talks with Shehbaz on bilateral cooperation.

Ahead of the president's visit, Belarus' Foreign Minister, minister for energy, minister for justice, minister for transport, minister for natural resources, minister for emergency situations, and Chairman of the Military Industry Committee reached Islamabad on Sunday.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warmly welcomed the delegation, which also included 43 prominent business personalities from Belarus, upon their arrival. The interior minister also met with Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and other ministers.

While welcoming the delegation, Naqvi said that the government and the people of Pakistan "eagerly await the visit of President Alexander Lukashenko". He emphasised that the president's visit was crucial in strengthening the bilateral relations.

Naqvi added that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with Belarus and aimed to enhance cooperation in various sectors. "The visit by President Alexander Lukashenko will further promote cooperation between the two countries in industry, trade, and other sectors."

Earlier, the Foreign Office stated that several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) will be signed during the visit. "The visit of the president of Belarus reflects the strong and growing partnership between Pakistan and Belarus," the Foreign Office said in a statement. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)