PESHAWAR – The Pakistan Belarus Skilled Workforce Agreement has paved the way for over 150,000 trained and skilled workers to be sent to Belarus.
The new bilateral accord – signed after bilateral talks in Minsk between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko- is imed at strengthening economic ties and boosting overseas employment.
The Pakistan Belarus Skilled Workforce Agreement was one of several deals signed at the Palace of Independence on Friday, where both leaders committed to enhancing cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, defense, industrial production, and environmental protection.
“This is not just about manpower export—it’s about creating meaningful partnerships that benefit both nations,” Sharif said at a joint press conference. “Our youth will play a vital role in Belarus’s development while contributing significantly to Pakistan’s remittance economy.”
The agreement outlines a detailed framework for deploying trained professionals in various sectors of the Belarusian economy. It also signals the beginning of joint ventures in agricultural machinery, electric vehicle production, and food security. Both countries also agreed on a roadmap for military-technical cooperation until 2027.
A series of additional pacts were also signed, covering defense, trade, postal services, and cooperation between the two interior ministries. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and his Belarusian counterpart oversaw the exchange of signed documents.
Speaking to media, Sharif urged Belarusian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in the untapped mineral sector. “Pakistan holds mineral wealth worth trillions of dollars. There is vast room for collaboration,” he said.
The Pakistan Belarus Skilled Workforce Agreement marks a notable shift in Pakistan’s labour export policy, focusing on trained and professional manpower rather than unskilled labour. It is also expected to boost Pakistan’s foreign remittances, a key source of economic stability.
Officials confirmed that a detailed action plan for implementing the agreement will be finalised soon, with both sides expressing eagerness to expedite the process.
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