KARACHI: Pakistan is likely to secure full membership of BRICS during the bloc’s 18th or 19th annual summit, scheduled for 2025 or 2026, diplomatic sources revealed.
Citing these developments, economic strategist and regional expert Dr Mehmoodul Hassan Khan said Pakistan’s inclusion would unlock new opportunities in foreign direct investment (FDI), trade diversification, industrialisation, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence (AI). Pakistan had formally applied for BRICS membership in 2023.
The bloc currently consists of 10 full members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, which joined in January 2025. Another 11 countries hold observer or partner status, with Vietnam most recently becoming a partner in June 2025. This expansion, dubbed “BRICS+”, has strengthened the group’s influence as a leading platform for the Global South.
While India has previously resisted Pakistan’s inclusion, growing diplomatic support from China, Russia, and other member states has improved Islamabad’s chances. The BRICS family now represents over half of the world’s population, 20% of global trade, and nearly 30% of global GDP. In 2024, its economies collectively grew at 4%, well above the global average.
Analysts believe Pakistan’s membership would bring significant socio-economic, geopolitical, and strategic dividends. Dr Khan added that Pakistan’s strengthening relations with the United States, underscored by recent visits of Army Chief General Asim Munir to Washington, have reduced the risk of repercussions from Islamabad’s pivot toward BRICS.
“Chances are very bright that Pakistan will soon become a full BRICS member, with both government and military leadership positioned to secure international consensus,” Dr Khan said.
Story by Gohar Ali Khan
