Pakistan and Belarus Strengthen Cooperation in Science, Technology, Standards, and Halal Certification
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – August 25, 2026)
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, stated on Tuesday that Pakistan prioritizes strengthening practical cooperation with Belarus in scientific research, technology, standards, Halal certification, and market access. These remarks were made during a meeting with Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan, Andrei Metelitsa, where bilateral cooperation in science and technology, joint research, standards, quality infrastructure, and Halal certification were discussed.
Federal Secretary for Science and Technology, Shahid Iqbal Baloch, also attended the gathering. The meeting reviewed ongoing cooperation under the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Commission on Science and Technology (JCST), established per the 2015 Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation.
The two sides conversed about joint calls for proposals initiated under the JCST framework. Magsi instructed the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) to commence the implementation and funding of two Pakistan-Belarus joint research projects under the matching grant mechanism. He emphasized the need for clear milestones, monitoring mechanisms, and designated researcher contact points for effective project execution.
The meeting also delved into cooperation between the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Belarusian State Institute for Standardization and Certification (BelGISS), aiming to streamline testing processes, reduce compliance costs, minimize non-tariff barriers, and facilitate faster market access.
Discussions explored collaboration on Halal certification and agricultural product market access. The Ministry of Science and Technology requested Belarus to provide a list of products proposed for Halal registration in Pakistan to advance certification and market access talks. They also worked on finalizing the list of suggested Halal products and expediting the joint technical assessment process to facilitate bilateral agricultural market access.
An internal review by PSQCA and BelGISS is underway to tackle financial and foreign-exchange fee structure concerns before finalizing the standards dissemination agreement.
Ambassador Andrei Metelitsa commended Pakistan’s progress in communication and defense technology, expressing Belarus’s willingness to cooperate with Pakistan across all science and technology domains. He also praised Pakistan’s efforts for global and regional peace.
