Pakistan for enhancing its two-way relations with Bangladesh

In order to increase bilateral trade and business, Pakistan today emphasized the importance of fortifying its bilateral connections with Bangladesh and restarting direct flights between the two nations.

According to an official handout, Ahmad Maruf, the Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh, made the claim during a courtesy call on Home Affairs Advisor Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the latter’s headquarters here.

A wide range of bilateral issues were covered at the discussion, including the post-flood rehabilitation program, enhancing bilateral ties, streamlining the visa application procedure, operating direct flights between the two nations, and collaboration in agricultural research.

The adviser welcomed the high commissioner and briefed him on the recent devastating floods that hit the country’s southeast at the beginning of the meeting. The advisor was given assurances by the high commissier that help would be given to flood victims.

The High Commissioner noted that Pakistan was also affected by the recent anti-discrimination student movement in Bangladesh and that many Pakistanis welcomed the triumph of the students by flying the Bangladeshi flag.

Regarding the principal obstacles facing the current interim administration, the advisor apprised him that the primary issue facing the government is impeding corruption and managing the cost of necessities.

During the meeting, the high commissioner called for strengthening bilateral relations by overcoming dryness in the relations in the last 15 years. The two sides also agreed on easing visa issue process between the two countries.

Regarding this, the ambassador stated that two weeks prior, Pakistan had declared a new visa policy that would allow nationals of 126 nations, including Bangladesh, to enter Pakistan without a visa.

He underlined that in order to increase bilateral trade, direct flights between the two nations should resume. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) performed the final nonstop route between the two nations in 2018.

The topic of enhancing bilateral collaboration in the areas of agricultural research, counterterrorism, and human trafficking prevention was also covered at the meeting.

Among those in attendance were Zain Aziz, Kamran Dhangal, Counselor of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, and senior officials from the Home Ministry.