Lukashenko Announces Plans to Attract Up to 150,000 Specialists from Pakistan
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced an agreement with the government of Pakistan to attract tens of thousands of foreign specialists to the country. Speaking before government and business representatives, he stated that Minsk and Islamabad had reached an agreement to send qualified personnel from Pakistan to Belarus as part of interstate cooperation.
“We have agreed with my friend, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, that specialists from various sectors will be sent to us soon — those sectors we request. The Pakistani leadership will help us select such people. Let it be 100,000, maybe 120–150,000 of these specialists,” said Lukashenko.
According to him, Belarus is ready to create the necessary conditions for the work and life of the migrants. The focus is primarily on qualified labor — builders, engineers, medical workers, technologists, and other in-demand specialists that, according to the authorities, are lacking in the domestic labor market.
To facilitate logistics, a direct air connection between Islamabad and Minsk is planned. This move is expected to speed up entry procedures and establish a stable channel for labor migration. The Belarusian side is also considering the creation of temporary adaptation centers for migrants and the launch of integration programs.
Experts note that amid demographic challenges and population outflow to neighboring countries, Belarus is facing a labor shortage, especially in sectors requiring a large workforce. Attracting foreign specialists may become part of a broader strategy to stabilize the labor market and boost production capacity.
Nevertheless, discussions are already underway in society about potential risks associated with large-scale migration. Questions are being raised about integration, cultural differences, and social infrastructure. Officials emphasize that all measures will be taken in accordance with national interests and security.
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