https://arab.news/97vmp
- Pakistan deputy PM, commerce minister last week visited Dhaka as both nations sought to mend decades of strained ties
- The trips saw multiple agreements signed, including a visa waiver for diplomats and establishment of joint trade group
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and advancing regional cooperation, the Pakistani foreign office said, following a series of high-level engagements between officials of the two countries over the weekend.
Senior Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, last week undertook high-level visits to Bangladesh as both nations seek to mend decades of strained ties amid shifting regional power balances.
The trips saw multiple agreements signed, including a visa waiver for diplomats, the establishment of a joint working group on trade, and cooperation between foreign service academies, with discussions centered on boosting economic cooperation and investment.
On Monday, Dar again met Touhid Hossain, the Bangladeshi adviser on foreign affairs, on the sidelines of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting after holding extensive discussions with him in Dhaka Bangladesh over the weekend.
鈥淩eaffirming the new momentum in Pakistan鈥揃angladesh relations, we looked forward to seeing the fruits of our cooperation across diverse fields,鈥� Dar said in a statement shared by the foreign office.
鈥淎lso agreed to work closely on strengthening bilateral ties and advancing regional cooperation for shared prosperity.鈥�
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh. In the years since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, chose to maintain close ties with India.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since Hasina鈥檚 ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August, witnessing a marked improvement. Both countries began sea trade last year, expanding government-to-government commerce in February.
Dar met Yunus on Sunday and apprised the Bangladeshi chief adviser of his engagements in Dhaka and the key outcomes of his two-day visit, thanking for the 鈥渨arm hospitality鈥� extended to him and his delegation, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
鈥淭he discussion covered revival of old connections between the two countries, promoting youth linkages, enhancing connectivity, and augmenting trade and economic cooperation,鈥� the Pakistani foreign office said after the meeting.