Despite the recent political turmoil in the country created by the PTI leadership andits workers, the just-concluded visit of the President of Belarus to Pakistan and the delegation-level talks and agreements are commendable.

The guest President Alexander Lukashenko has said in a press conference along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that he remains concerned about Pakistan and some major powers are not happy with its development.  The Belarusian President’s concern for Pakistan is a true friend and a reflection of the ideal relations between the two countries.  His concern over the recent tense situation in Pakistan is justified and he has correctly identified the challenges it faces in the global context and the future struggle for supremacy between major powers. He says that a cruel leadership battle is going on in strong countries. In a rapidly changing situation, only those nations that unite survive. Political anlysts have also called President Alexander Lukashenko’s views and the commitment and agreements to work together with him encouraging.  The task of correcting the country’s situation and stabilizing the economy is undoubtedly very difficult, but when the entire nation buckles down, every difficulty becomes easy.

Our economy has been dependent on global financial institutions that have taken full advantage of our economic constraints and forced us to accept arbitrary conditions. China’s all-weather strategic cooperation does not even wink at our enemy forces. China is leading globalization. Today, 130 countries among the members of the United Nations have more trade with China than the United States. From Pakistan to Peru (Gwadar Port and Chancay Port), one trillion has been invested in three thousand projects.  World powers are seeing this as a challenge. Our prospects for development are brighter only in an atmosphere of amicable resolution of mutual internal concerns and peace and understanding in the international community. In this backdrop, the advice by Alexander Lukashenko to Pakistan is valuable.

He was in Islamabad on a three-day official visit. The delegation, consisting of industrialists, traders and high-ranking officials,  signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding with the Pakistani leadership and its economic team.  Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Alexander had earlier met in Islamabad on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference, in which emphasis was placed on promoting bilateral relations, especially cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, agricultural machinery including tractor manufacturing and communications.  Pakistan and the rapidly emerging Central Asian state of Belarus completed 30 years of diplomatic relations in February this year.  The grand celebration of the special ceremony held at the Foreign Office Islamabad on this occasion is a reflection of the exemplary relations between the two countries. The continuous high-level exchanges between the two countries, including those between the heads of government, are an important link in the chain of mutual cooperation in the economic, industrial and agricultural sectors.  

Belarus, which covers an area of ??more than 27,000 square kilometers and borders Russia, has rapidly made its mark in agriculture, industry and trade since its establishment. Last year, during the visit of the then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan and Belarus signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements.  Both countries also aspire to establish a multilateral partnership, including defense cooperation and science and technology, in the coming days.  The sustainability of these agreements between the two countries and the guarantee of their completion within the stipulated time are indispensable requirements of this important mission. As a matter of fact, there is huge scope for foreign investment in Pakistan. Not only Belarus, other world states mainly the Arab countries are eager to invest in Pakistan. After Saudi Arabia, Qatar is also willing to invest in Pakistan.  In the next few days, a delegation of Qatari businessmen is also visiting, who have been invited by the Pakistan Govt to invest in important sectors. And most significantly, their response is exemplary as they are going to be the biggest investors in Pakistan at times when our country needs it the most. Since the last  PDM government, efforts were on by Pakistan authorities to lure in foreign investment and the current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Qatar has been very successful and the meetings with the Qatari leadership have been very constructive and fruitful, and positive results have started coming. Qatar will invest three billion dollars in Pakistan.  

The agreement between the two countries to further strengthen the already developed bilateral cooperation in various fields, increase trade exchange, export skilled people from Pakistan to Qatar and promote investment is undoubtedly an important development regarding the Pakistani economy.  The number of contracts from Saudi Arabia has also increased from 27 to 34 and the total investment volume has reached 2 billion 800 million dollars. A multi-billion dollar memorandum of understanding was signed with the UAE last year. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, in a press conference, has given a detailed account of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar and the progress made in investment, saying that it has boosted the honor of Pakistan. The Prime Minister’s economic agenda is rapidly coming to fruition. The economy is on the recovery track. Inflation came down to 6.9 percent. Record shipments have arrived. Interest rates have come down and friendly countries are investing in Pakistan. Apart from Islamic brotherhood, economic and strategic relations are established with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. These Gulf countries have always supported Pakistan in the challenges faced and helped to build its economy. Investment agreements with them are a boon for the country’s economy. Whether it is the Saudi Arab, Qatar or UAE, a huge response and support has always been given to Pakistan. The new investment endeavours by the brotherly and long-time friendly countries Saudi Arabia and Qatar is a welcome augury. Their investment in Pakistan will also encourage other states like the Belarus to invest in Pakistan.