ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Belarus on Thursday for a two-day official from April 10 to 11 at the invitation of President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Belarus Prime Minister Alexander Turchin and officials of Pakistan embassy in Belarus welcomed the prime minister.

PM Shehbaz was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Information and Broad­casting Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also accompanied him.

The prime minister and his brother met with President Lukashenko later on Thursday.

The two sides are expected to sign several agreements to further strengthen cooperation.

The prime minister’s visit underscores a strong and ongoing partnership between Pakistan and Belarus.

PM Shehbaz expressed his optimism for official engagements, particularly his interaction with President Aleksandr Lukashenko, as they sought jointly to advance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus.

Later, PM Shehbaz laid a wreath at the Victory Monument in Minsk to pay tribute to the people who died during World War II.

As the prime minister, along with his delegation members, arrived at Victory Square, contingents of the Belarusian armed forces saluted him. National anthems of Pakistan and Belarus were played on this occasion.

Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2025