A 68-member ministerial delegation from Belarus landed in Islamabad on Sunday evening in anticipation of a formal state visit by President Aleksandr Lukashenko, according to the Foreign Office (FO).

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi greeted the delegation led by Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov. Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belarus Sajjad Haider Khan were also present at the airport.

The delegation arrived just before Lukashenko’s scheduled visit on Monday.

This visit follows an agreement made in September between Pakistan and Belarus to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a trade roadmap for 2025-2027.

President Lukashenko is set to make an official visit to Pakistan from November 25 to 27.

“President Lukashenko will engage in extensive discussions with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, focusing on various areas of bilateral cooperation and engagement,” the FO said in a press release earlier this week. It also noted that several agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit.

The high-level 68-member delegation accompanying Lukashenko includes Belarusian ministers for energy, justice, transport, natural resources, and emergency situations, along with the chairman of the Military Industry Committee and 43 prominent business figures, as reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan.

During a meeting with Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, Naqvi described Lukashenko’s upcoming visit as “pivotal” for strengthening the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Belarus.

He underscored Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its relationship with Belarus, emphasizing the desire to boost cooperation across various sectors.

The interior minister noted that the visit is expected to further advance collaboration in industry, trade, and other important areas.