Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia, at her residence during his visit to Bangladesh. In view of Begum Zia’s prolonged indisposition, Ishaq there expressed his best wishes for her speedy recovery and well-being.
He also conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Begum Khaleda. He lauded her services to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The memories of Begum Khalida’s visit to Pakistan in 2016 were also recorded. Ishaq Dar on Sunday also met Bangladesh Chief Advisor Prof. Muhammad Yunus during his landmark visit to Dhaka, during which the latter stressed the need to revitalize the regional corporation through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, i.e., SAARC.
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“The discussion covered revival of old connections between the two countries, promoting youth linkages, enhancing connectivity, and augmenting trade and economic cooperation,” said Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Ever since the popular uprising in Bangladesh on Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s exit from Bangladesh in August last year, there has been a thaw in ties between Islamabad and Dhaka, with trade and bilateral relations improving. The Foreign Office has termed Dar’s two-day visit, the first by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years, as a significant milestone in the two countries’ relations.
“I encourage Saarc, and I see our relationship with Pakistan and other Saarc countries as one of the highest priorities,” said Yunus.
According to the Post and Expert, the Foreign Office, Dar called on Yunus and apprised him of the developments during his trip. The pair discussed recent developments in the region and the prospects of regional cooperation. The initiative to resume direct relations between Pakistan and Dhaka is also in progress.
According to the statement issued by Yunus’ office, the Bangladesh Chief Advisor during the meeting highlighted the importance of revitalizing all potential avenues of regional and bilateral cooperation, urging progress in bilateral trade, and emphasizing the role of the people-to-people contact, particularly among the youth.