Pakistan keen to forge closer ties with Belarus

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at a meeting on Friday with visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, said that Islamabad is keen to forge closer ties with the country in all fields including trade, economy, defence and culture.

"Your visit will act as a catalyst in developing strong political and economic relations between our two countries," the premier told the Belarusian president.

Earlier on Thursday, Lukashenko was received by Nawaz Sharif at the Nur Khan airbase on his arrival in Islamabad on a two-day state visit on the invitation of President Mamnoon Hussain, Dawn online reported.

This is the first visit by a Belarusian president to Pakistan.

On the first day of President Lukashenko's visit, Pakistan and Belarus vowed to build a broad-based, substantive and long-term relationship in all fields, including trade, economic, education, defence and culture.

During his meeting with the Belarusian leader followed by delegation-level talks, President Hussain said Pakistan valued its ties with Belarus and both countries enjoyed a warm and a cordial relationship.

Meanwhile, Sergei Gurulev, chairman of the State Military Industrial Committee, Belarus, called on Pakistan's Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Rasheed Mahmood and discussed matters relating to professional interest and mutual cooperation between the two armed forces.