Pakistan and Belarus have officially activated a labour cooperation agreement that will open doors for skilled Pakistani workers to secure employment opportunities in the Eastern European nation.
The arrangement follows the visit of Belarusian Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakov to Islamabad, where he held high-level meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain.
What the Agreement Covers
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishes a structured framework to place Pakistani workers in Belarusian industries such as construction, energy, textiles, and engineering. Key aspects of the pact include:
- Specialised training initiatives for Pakistani professionals in line with Belarusian market requirements.
- The creation of resource and support centres to guide workers and their families during the relocation process.
- Access to healthcare and social security services for all employees recruited under the program.
- Formation of a joint committee to ensure smooth implementation and resolve challenges.
Strategic Importance
The labour export initiative is part of a broader understanding reached during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Minsk earlier this year, when both countries agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, food processing, technology, and the manufacturing of buses and agricultural machinery.
As part of the broader vision, Belarus has indicated willingness to absorb a significant number of Pakistani professionals, with early estimates suggesting a requirement for more than 150,000 skilled individuals across multiple sectors.
Voices From Leadership
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the launch of the MoU as a symbol of deepening ties with Belarus, and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to strengthen cooperation in human resource development. He also welcomed the prospect of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured that Pakistani workers travelling to Belarus would enjoy full protections under Belarusian law, while Chaudhry Salik Hussain underlined Pakistan’s track record as a leading global provider of skilled manpower, describing the agreement as a gateway for new employment opportunities.
Next Steps
With the accord now active, both governments are expected to roll out pilot projects for training and recruitment in the coming months. The initiative is likely to create new openings for professionals and trained workers, particularly in sectors where Belarus is facing labour shortages.
