Farhan Qureshi 
During an official visit to Minsk, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has called for greater Pakistan Belarus cooperation, saying the need is to translate long-standing diplomatic relations into meaningful economic and institutional cooperation. Discussions with the Belarusian leadership covered trade, investment, agriculture, industry, technology, education and engagement with parliament.
Gilani’s visit is taking place within the framework of existing bilateral frameworks such as the Islamabad Declaration of May 2015 and the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation signed in August 2015. He also referred to the high-level engagement between the two countries, including the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Minsk in April 2025 and the visit of President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Pakistan in November 2025.
Pakistan, Belarus Boost Parliamentary Cooperation
One of the main results of the visit was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Senate of Pakistan and the Council of the Republic of Belarus. The agreement provides a framework for regular parliamentary exchanges, inter-regional cooperation and coordinated engagement at international parliamentary forums and institutional linkages.
Parliamentary diplomacy can serve as a channel to continue dialogue outside the executive level. The two sides discussed cooperation between parliamentary committees, exchange of legislative experience, annual delegations and staff exchanges, creating opportunities for closer institutional understanding between Pakistan and Belarus.
There Is Scope For Major Bilateral Cooperation In Agriculture.
Agriculture was one of the main areas of discussion where Pakistan sought more cooperation in agricultural technology, machinery, seed production, livestock, fisheries and food security. Gilani also mentioned the potential to increase the supply of Pakistani rice, fruits and vegetables to Belarus that could open up new opportunities for agricultural exports.
The proposed combined agricultural machinery testing facility could allow for even closer technical cooperation between the two countries. Such a facility could be a testbed for machinery under local agricultural conditions and also a vehicle for knowledge transfer and technology adaptation for the farming community of Pakistan. The know-how in agricultural machinery developed by Belarus makes cooperation in this field relevant to Pakistan’s efforts to modernise agricultural production.
Industrial Partnerships Could Underpin Pakistan’s Manufacturing Base
Another important component of the proposed expansion in bilateral relations is industrial cooperation. The talks focused on areas where Belarus’s industrial expertise could be combined with Pakistan’s production capacities, including joint ventures, assembly production, technology transfer, R&D and manufacturing partnerships.
Co-operation in the manufacture of tractors is of particular importance as agricultural machinery ties industrial development to the wider rural economy. Restarting assembly activity in Pakistan could provide a boost to local manufacturing, technical skills and related supply chains, and an opportunity for greater technology transfer.
Trade Expansion Could Link Pakistan To Regional Markets
Gilani has highlighted Pakistan’s geographical location as a bridge between South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. Greater use of transport, logistics and trade links could facilitate easier access to regional markets for Belarusian businesses and support Pakistan’s role in wider commercial connectivity.
The trade agenda goes beyond traditional goods. Business-to-business engagement, stronger investment forums and the Belarus-Pakistan Business Council can help to identify specific commercial projects and not just agreements at the government level. There is still a great deal of work to be done in translating diplomatic understandings into private sector activity, and this remains an important part of the economic cooperation agenda.
Technology And Education Bring A Longer-Term Dimension
The cooperation proposed stretches to education, science, information technology, engineering, vocational training and research. Gilani suggested strengthening institutional linkages between the universities and research organisations of Pakistan and Belarus, including joint research and academic exchanges, in areas of mutual interest.
Technology partnerships can be beneficial beyond the scope of an individual project by supporting knowledge transfer and skill development. Collaboration among universities, technical institutes and industry can help to build bridges between academic research and commercial applications, particularly in engineering, agricultural technology and manufacturing.
Pakistan Can Forge Stronger Ties On Food Security
Cooperation with Belarus in the area of agriculture is also important for Pakistan’s goals of food security. Seed production, livestock, fisheries, machinery and agricultural technology collaboration can contribute to a wider approach in which productivity, technology and supply chains are considered together.
Agriculture is a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy and a livelihood source for rural communities. Better access to modern machinery and technical knowledge can mean more efficient production, and stronger export channels can create more opportunities for farmers and agriculture businesses.
Business And Investment Links Still Central To Expansion
Gilani called for further enhancing interaction between the business communities of Pakistan and Belarus, including through investment forums and the Belarus-Pakistan Business Council. Such platforms can help companies to find opportunities, to solve commercial problems and to build partnerships in areas where government-to-government agreements are already in place.
Investment cooperation could be particularly relevant in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, technology and transport, and agricultural machinery. Joint ventures can be a way of pooling capital, technical expertise and market access and can help to increase local production and employment.
The September 2026 visit has tied together a number of Pakistan-Belarus relations strands, from parliament engagement to agriculture, manufacturing, technology and regional connectivity. The broader objective for Pakistan is to translate diplomatic goodwill into projects which boost trade, industrial development, agricultural modernisation, skills and connectivity.
