Pakistan confirms it has applied for BRICS membership

Pakistan has applied to join BRICS, a five-nation bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan believes joining BRICS will help promote international cooperation and revitalise multilateralism.

Pakistan on Thursday confirmed that it has applied for membership in the BRICS grouping.

Pakistan’s application to join the the five-nation bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa came as the grouping of emerging economies was set for its biggest expansion with six new members under Moscow's rotating Presidency in 2024.

This year’s BRICS summit held in South Africa formally admitted Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as new members. They will formally join during the 2024 summit in Russia.

“Yes, I can confirm that Pakistan has made a formal request to join BRICS, which we believe is an important grouping of developing countries,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly press briefing.

Baloch said Pakistan enjoys friendly ties with most of the BRICS members, as well as the newly invited group of countries. As an ardent supporter of multilateralism and a member of several multilateral organisations, Pakistan has played an important role for global peace and development, she said.

“We believe that by joining BRICS, Pakistan can play an important role in furthering international cooperation and revitalising inclusive multilateralism. We also hope that BRICS will move forward on Pakistan’s request in line with its commitment to inclusive multilateralism,” she said.

Quoting Pakistan's envoy to Moscow Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Russia's official TASS news agency reported that Islamabad has filed an application to join the BRICS group of nations in 2024 and is counting on Moscow's assistance during the membership process.