Dhaka-Islamabad commits to bolster synergy
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Dhaka and Islamabad have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
The matter came forward during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday.
Accordign to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry said Ishaq Dar and Touhid Hossain reviewed the overall state of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and reiterated their pledge to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The two leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in Asia and the Middle East and agreed to maintain close contact in light of the evolving regional situation.
Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad to express condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Ishaq Dar paid his respects at the mission and signed the condolence book opened in her memory, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Following the news of Khaleda Zia’s death, Pakistan’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, arrived in Dhaka last Wednesday.
He attended her funeral prayers and met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to convey condolences on behalf of Pakistan.
In his message, he wrote, “Khaleda Zia devoted her life to public service and to the welfare of her nation.
Her resilience and leadership during challenging times have left a lasting legacy. She will be remembered with respect by all who value service to country and people.”
Ishaq Dar had earlier expressed his heartfelt sympathy over the passing of the former Bangladeshi prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson.
Even to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza of Khaleda Zia, Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Dhaka to offer condolences on her sad demise.
In August this year, Ishaq Dar visited Bangladesh and met Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence, Firoza.
Their discussions at the time focused on normalising people-to-people relations between the two countries and issues linked to national interests.
Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and BNP chairperson, passed away on Tuesday morning, 30 December, while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The BNP media cell confirmed her death in a statement shared on social media.
The bilateral relation between the two South Asian countries has been intensified in diversified fields including trade and commerce.
Apart from it, both sides are going to resume the direct flight which is likely to be started at the end of this month.
Such initiatives between the two countries have cemented their relations and elevated to new heights for future cooperation.