National News

ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP) : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Wednesday said Pakistan and Belarus were establishing a strong
footing to promote trade, business and investment, adding that it
would provide a solid basis for enhancing their multi-dimensional
relations.
The Prime Minister made the remarks at a round of delegation-
level talks with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko here at
the PM House.
The President of Belarus is on a three-day official visit to
Pakistan.
Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and said Pakistan
values its relations with Belarus and said the two countries enjoy
a warm, cordial and multi-faceted relationship.
“Pakistan is keen to forge closer ties with Belarus in all
fields including trade, economy, investment, industry, education,
defence, agriculture, culture and other areas,” the Prime Minister
said.
Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan today was one of the most
investor friendly countries; offering excellent opportunities for
foreign investors with investment-friendly regulations and a huge
market of nearly 200 million people.
The Prime Minister said establishment of Joint Trade Committee
was an important vehicle to identify bottlenecks and resolve issues
in trade relations of both the countries. The Prime Minister noted
that both the Joint Economic Commission and the Joint Trade
Committee are actively pursuing these issues.
The Prime Minister informed the visiting President that his
government was focused on reviving the economy, overcoming the
energy shortage.
“We are committed to good governance, curbing corruption,
ensuring fiscal discipline and widening the tax base to revive the
economy to its true potential,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said the momentum of increased high level
exchanges between the two countries needs to be maintained.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus has
significant expertise in building of heavy machinery including
automotive engineering, agricultural harvesting machinery, road
construction machinery and dump trucks.
He said both sides can develop joint ventures and business-to-
business contacts in these areas.
President Lukashenko said Belarus and Pakistan need to explore
the possibility of creating joint ventures for the production and
processing of wide range of agricultural products, including the
production of milk powder, other dairy products, textiles, auto
parts, surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals and other areas of
mutual benefit.
The President of Belarus applauded Pakistan for making
huge successes in the revival of economy.
The president supported Pakistan’s stance in nuclear supply
group, a statement from the PM House said.
In the context of regional peace and stability, the Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan pursues the policy of
maintaining good relations with all its neighbours.
He said Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of all outstanding
issues with India, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I want to thank you for your expression of support for
peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said India has deliberately escalated
tensions at the LoC to divert attention of the international
community from the grave situation in the Indian occupied Jammu and
Kashmir.
The Prime Minister informed the visiting President that over
110 innocent people have lost their lives, and more than 12000
injured, with hundreds in critical condition.
More than 700 people have suffered severe eye injuries due to
the use of pellet guns by the Indian occupation forces and more than
150 have been permanently blinded, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister later hosted a luncheon in honour of the
President of Belarus and his delegation.