Islamabad:
Pakistan and Bangladesh signed on Sunday a series of agreements aimed at improving cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchanges, marking a significant step in efforts to restore relations after years of ice cream, while Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar sought to go beyond the 1971 luggage.
Dar, which is in a historic visit to Dhaka, the first by a Pakistani Foreign Minister in 13 years, celebrated a series of high -level meetings with the main leadership figures and Policies of Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister had conversations with the main advisor to Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, the foreign policy advisor Touhid Hossain and met separately to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaled Zia and Jamaat-E-Islami Bangladesh Ameer.
In addition, Dan also met with members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), a student political party that played a role in the expulsion of the Sheikh Hasina Wajed government in August last year.
The expulsion of the Government of the Awami League led to the approach between Pakistan and the visit of Bangladesh and Dar reflected the last impulse of both parties to improve their ties.
The two countries signed six agreements and comprehension memorandes (MOU) aimed at improving cooperation in commerce, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchanges.
The signed agreements included an agreement that abolished the visa requirements for diplomats and government officials, a memorandum of understanding between the external service academies of the two countries, a means of media cooperation between Associated Press of Pakistan (app) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and Mous between the thoughts of both sides. A joint trade group and a cultural exchange program (2025–2028) were also completed.
Dar, who met with the main advisor Yunus, transmitted the greetings of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties. Both parties discussed trade, economic cooperation, youth exchanges and regional security. Give thanked the Bangladesh government for the “warm hospitality and excellent arrangements” during their stay.
Pakistan also launched a “Knowledge Corridor of Pakistan-Bangladesh”, which offers 500 scholarships to Bangladesh students over the next five years, including a special assignment in medicine. Training programs for 100 Bangladesh officials will also be offered. In addition, the number of scholarships under the technical assistance program of Pakistan has risen from five to 25.
He called the president of BNP, Begm Khaleda Zia, in his residence, extending good wishes for his recovery and remembering his visit to Pakistan in 2006. He also visited the residence of Jamaat-E-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who is recovering from cardiac surgery and praised his contributions in politics, education and society.
The gust of commitments underlines Islamabad’s impulse to put ties with Dhaka on a new base. “Our future is brilliant and we must work together for the improvement of our peoples.”
In statements to journalists after meeting with Dar, Bangladesh’s foreign policy advisor said he raised the unresolved problems between the two countries.
“We have raised unresolved problems, such as an apology or expression of repentance for 1971, claims about assets and the question of Pakistani citizens stranded (with giving),” said Hossain to journalists after the conversations with Dar. It would be a mistake to solve 54 -year problems in one day, he added.
However, Foreign Minister, said that the “unresolved problems” of 1971 between Pakistan and Bangladesh had already been established twice, both in writing and verbally.
When journalists asked him about “unresolved issues” between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Dar replied: “With regard to unresolved problems, this matter was resolved for the first time in writing in 1974, and this historical document is available for both countries.”
“Later, General Musharraf came here and addressed this issue in a very open and explicit way,” he added. He said: “In my opinion, once this matter has been established among the brothers, Islam also indicates that we keep our hearts clean. Therefore, we must advance and work together, because our future is brilliant.”
“Therefore, in line with our Islamic teachings, the Koran and Sunnah, we must keep our pure hearts and move forward. We are a family, and we must work together to do the best for people in both countries.”
Dar added: “My brother Touhid and our entire team will work together to achieve the best possible results. That is the agreement, and that is what we are doing.”
Giving also said that “the future of both countries is very bright” and “we must work together to do the best for the people of both nations.”
Give, however, described his commitment in Dhaka as excellent, insisting that both parties had a complete consensus. “There was no disagreement on any matter, which is a very positive sign,” he emphasized. “We are working together to bring economic and commercial relations between our two countries to new heights,” he said.
