Islamabad, July 11, 2023 (PPI-OT): The first virtual meeting between the parliamentary friendships groups of Pakistan and Belarus was held on Tuesday, 11th July 2023 in the National Assembly Secretariat, Islamabad. The virtual meeting was chaired by Ms. Javaria Zafar Aheer, MNA/Convener of Pakistan-Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG). From Uzbek side, Mr. Andrei Savinykh, Head of the Working Group of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Cooperation with the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, chaired the meeting. The two sides discussed matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation.

Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, MNA/ SAPAM, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, MNA and Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, MNA were present from Pakistan side, during the meeting. From Belarusian side, Mr. Aleksandr Grankovsky, Ms. Irina Supranovich, Mr. Vitaly Utkin attended the meeting. Ms. Javaria Zafar Aheer, MNA/Convener of Pakistan-Belarus (PFG) mentioned that Pakistan greatly values its relationship with the Republic of Belarus and views it as an important partner and friend. Political situation between our two countries has evolved into a durable, broad based and comprehensive partnership.

Members of Pakistani side appreciated the signing of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the Abolition of Visas for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports and urged to consider liberalize visa regime for Pakistanis to further facilitate business communities and enhance economic interaction.

Ms. Javaria Zafar Aheer, proposed to develop a plan of joint events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Pakistan. Mr. Andrei Savinykh, Head of working group from Belarus side, highlighted that Pakistan and Belarus shared a cordial and friendly relationship and committed to strengthening bilateral ties in future. He emphasized the significance of the roadmap for trade facilitation between both countries to achieve sustainable development.

Mr. Andrei Savinykh affirmed the commitment towards building mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan in trade, agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, tourism, education, and culture domains. He conveyed that the visit of the President of Belarus to Pakistan will be materialized soon and also reiterated the invitation to the Speaker National Assembly to undertake a visit to Belarus, at his earliest convenience and expressed desire to finalize the schedule as soon as possible through diplomatic channels.

Mr. Andrei Savinykh further underscored the issues of connectivity and direct flight between Islamabad and Minsk and shared that direct flight would contribute to further development of trade and economic cooperation between two countries. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from both sides.

For more information, contact:

Secretary,

National Assembly of Pakistan

Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,

Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9221082-83

Fax: +92-51-9221106

Email: assembly@na.gov.pk

Website: www.na.gov.pk