Pakistan, Belarus call for ‘coordinated’ approach to address humanitarian crisis in Gaza

KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan and Belarus on Monday called for a “coordinated” approach to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and expressed their support for “peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a meeting with his visiting Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenkov in the capital Islamabad, discussed key regional and global developments, including the situation in the Middle East, said a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

The meeting was held ahead of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s three-day visit to Pakistan.

Lukashenko arrived in Islamabad on Monday evening amid an ongoing opposition protest march that seeks the release of the country’s incarcerated ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the Belarusian president at Nur Khan Airbase.

Lukashenko is set to meet Pakistani leadership, including President Asif Zardari, to discuss bilateral, regional and global developments.

Reaffirming their commitment to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, the two top diplomats emphasized the importance of “enhanced cooperation in international and regional organizations to advance mutual interest and to jointly address global challenges.”

The two sides also expressed satisfaction at the momentum of bilateral exchanges and high-level visits between Pakistan and Belarus and expressed the hope that President Lukashenko’s visit will further boost the bilateral relations.

The two countries also inked eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral trade.

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Belarusian Minister for Energy Aleksei Kushnarenko witnessed the agreements signing ceremony in Islamabad, said an official statement.