Illegal attempts to cross Belarus-Poland border: Pakistanis among top eight nationalities involved
Between January 1 and June 22 this year, nearly 14,000 illegal border-crossing attempts were recorded at the Belarus-Poland border, with Pakistani nationals among the top eight nationalities involved.
These developments come in stark contrast to the optimism generated during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to Belarus in April, where a bilateral agreement was signed, promising over 150,000 employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers in various sectors, including IT, healthcare, construction, and engineering.
However, nearly two months later, the agreement remains largely unimplemented, revealed an official on Friday. The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) has not issued formal guidelines nor initiated any coordination with Belarusian authorities or certified recruiting agencies. No feasibility report or cost-benefit analysis has been made public to evaluate the viability, risks, or logistical aspects of deploying such a large workforce abroad, the official added.
Meanwhile, the absence of structured legal pathways for employment abroad may be pushing desperate individuals to seek dangerous alternatives. Polish authorities have already detained over 150 people this year for assisting illegal border crossings, highlighting growing regional security and human trafficking concerns.
While the offer of overseas employment has generated significant interest, economic experts warn that the agreement might be overly ambitious, given Belarus's struggling economy. Still reeling from international sanctions, Belarus has experienced stagnant growth and persistent inflation.
The country's average monthly salary stands at around $670–$700, significantly higher than Pakistan's average of roughly $150–$170. Moreover, Belarus's minimum wage is approximately $200, while Pakistan's current minimum wage ranges between PKR 32,000 and 37,000 (roughly $110–$125).
In this context, the proposed minimum salary of $1,100 for Pakistani workers seems disproportionately high and raises serious questions about the Belarusian job market's ability to accommodate and sustain such a large influx of foreign workers under those terms.
Despite the scale and fanfare of the announcement, the official highlighted the Pakistani government has not released any feasibility study or cost-benefit analysis.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Nawaz-Imran meeting pure fiction: Dar
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday dismissed reports of a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan, terming them baseless and part of a 'sponsored narrative' aimed at sowing political confusion. Speaking at the annual 982nd ceremonial bathing (ghusl) of the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hujwiri (Data Darbar) in Lahore, the DPM said such sponsored reports are propagated deliberately. 'These are all speculations. It must be someone's wish list as we don't want to meet anyone.' The foreign minister said the current government was initially formed with the critical support from the PPP. 'When we started, our numbers were incomplete without them. Now that we have a simple majority, there's no difficulty, but we will continue cooperating with the PPP even more than before,' he said. He also ruled out any rift within the ruling coalition, asserting that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had made no demands and remained a committed ally. 'The PPP did not demand any portfolio. They are our coalition partners and they supported us at hard time and companions are not left after the passage of trials and tribulations,' 'In difficult times, you don't abandon your partners,' he said, stressing that all coalition parties are working together on a shared economic agenda. Dar said the law will take its course and the government wants to work in synergy with all parties. He said the government had no war ambitions or hostility-driven agendas. 'We desire peace and stability in the region,' he said, adding that Iran had acknowledged Pakistan as a 'true friend', with chants of 'Shukria Pakistan' also echoing in their parliament. Highlighting the country's string of recent achievements, Dar noted that the country had been elected as a member of the UN Security Council and had signed a $2 billion agreement with Azerbaijan. 'Inflation has eased, interest rates have dropped from 22% to 11%, and per capita income will now rise,' he claimed. Dar accused Israel of engaging in terrorism and recalled how even at the funeral of Iran's military chief, slogans were raised in support of Pakistan. 'Iran has acknowledged Pakistan as a sincere friend. We do not seek war; our agenda is peace and regional security.' The deputy PM praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's relentless efforts, saying they had brought 'immense respect' to Pakistan on the global stage. He reminisced about the original inauguration of Data Darbar's development by Nawaz Sharif on May 31, 1999, and noted that the shrine's expansion was now near completion. On Pakistan-India ties, Dar said that the country responded firmly when provoked. 'During the India-Pakistan conflict, all political parties stood united. India started the war, but we brought down six of their aircraft and responded to 80 drone attacks within 36 hours. The ceasefire along the LoC is still intact,' he said. Commenting on the PDM's formation, Dar noted that Pakistan was on the brink of default at the time. 'If there had been no change, Pakistan would have defaulted. We took bold risks to steer the country back. Our foreign reserves have now reached $14 billion,' he revealed. Dar also warned of ongoing threats: 'Risk is always present; we must remain alert. Thirty militants were sent to hell. On the diplomatic front, talks with Saudi Arabia began seven to eight months ago and will resume on June 24. The general visa process has improved, and we request that Blue Passports be extended to include diplomats, MNAs, MPAs and senior bureaucrats.' Speaking on local developments, Dar said renovation work at Data Darbar had already begun. 'The dome has been elevated, and umbrellas like those in Masjid-e-Nabawi will be installed in the mosque. We hope all work will be completed before the next ceremonial bathing.' The ghusl ceremony was attended by Provincial Auqaf Minister Shafi Hussain and a large number of devotees.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan in no hurry to recognise Afghan Taliban rule
Listen to article Pakistan is in no hurry to recognise the Afghan Taliban government, officials said on Saturday days after Russia became the first country to formally accept Taliban controlled Kabul as legitimate dispensation. Moscow's decision, some observers feel, may be a prelude to other regional countries finally embracing the Taliban. However, officials in Pakistan said the decision of Russia was not a surprise as Moscow for sometimes had indicated they would reconcile with the fact that the Taliban were now in charge and there was no other option but to accept their rule. The Russian decision also stems from the fact that greater engagement with the Taliban government would help address terrorist threat and advance its geostrategic interests. Moscow fears that without engagement with the Taliban government would hand advantage to its adversaries mainly the United States to undermine its interests. 'We of course will take decision keeping in view our interest. I can tell you there is no hurry,' said a Pakistani official when asked whether Islamabad would also recgonize the Taliban rule. The source, however, did not rule out the possibility of Pakistan taking more pragmatic approach if other regional players follow the Russian footsteps. At his weekly news briefing on Friday, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan reacted cautiously to Moscow's decision, saying it was a matter of between two sovereign states. In any case, the source said, Pakistan has robust engagement with the Taliban ruled Kabul. 'The de facto recognition is there,' the source said. Pakistan, although has given no hinted about officially recognising the Taliban government, agreed to upgrade the diplomat ties. Last month after a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Chinese Foreign Ministers meeting in Beijing led Islamabad and Kabul to elevate their diplomatic ties. Both sides are in a process to fulfill the responsibilities before formally appointing Ambassadors in each other's capitals. China is thought to have played a key role in brokering the deal in the hope that greater engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan would address security concerns. One of the reasons that Pakistan has not yet recognised the Taliban government is the unresolved issue of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan. The Afghan government recently took certain steps, which Pakistan thinks, could make the difference. One major such move includes the Taliban government's crackdown on Afghan nationals who were joining the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban Amir also issued a fresh decree barring Afghans from so-called 'Jihad' against Pakistan. There were also reports that the Taliban government after recent terrorist attacks in North Waziristan started disarming groups living close to the border. Sources said that it is in Taliban's interest to address security concerns of Pakistan and other neighbouring countries. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the visit of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Kabul are gradually improving with increased exchanges. Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to travel to Islamabad later this month. He was to visit Pakistan last month but the trip was delayed due to Iran-Israel war. During his visit, the two sides would review bilateral ties and decisions taken when Dar was in Kabul in April.
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Islamabad, Warsaw set to deepen ties in key sectors
Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Ayub meets Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski during the 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Warsaw on July 4, 2025. Photo courtesy: X Pakistan and Poland have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation through high-level visits, parliamentary exchanges, and sustained dialogue, as the two countries seek to broaden engagement across multiple sectors. The understanding was reached during the 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held in Warsaw on July 4. Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Ayub led the Pakistani delegation, while Poland's Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, headed the Polish side. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to boosting collaboration in trade, investment, energy, defence, science and technology, agriculture, migration, and higher education. Pakistani Ambassador to Poland Muhammad Sami-ur-Rehman and Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski also attended the talks. Regional and global developments, including those in South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, were discussed in detail. Both delegations noted alignment on key issues and agreed to continue working closely at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. It was agreed that the next round of consultations will be held in Islamabad in 2026.
