Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has underscored the importance of deepening ties with Pakistan to enhance bilateral cooperation and unlock untapped trade and business opportunities.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka—marking the first such high-level visit from Islamabad in 15 years.
“We do face some obstacles, but we must seek practical solutions and move ahead,” the Chief Adviser told Baloch.
Foreign Secretary Baloch acknowledged the complexities of past relations but stressed the need to look forward. “There’s enormous untapped potential between our two countries,” she said. “We must not keep missing the opportunity every time.”
She emphasized the value of consistent private sector engagement and highlighted the importance of more frequent business-to-business (B2B) exchanges and high-level visits between the two sides.
In January 2025, a delegation from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) visited Dhaka and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI), laying a foundation for greater economic collaboration.
Foreign Secretary Baloch expressed hope that the planned visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the end of April would help push forward momentum in bilateral relations.
Professor Yunus reiterated his commitment to building stronger relations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, within the broader context of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
He also proposed enhanced cultural and youth exchange programs between the two nations to strengthen people-to-people contact. “Our relations remained frozen for too long—we need to break past those barriers,” he said.
Recalling previous engagements with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York (September 2024) and during the D-8 Summit in Cairo (December 2024), the Chief Adviser said those meetings had contributed to positive developments in bilateral ties.
He affirmed that Bangladesh and Pakistan will continue close coordination in regional and international platforms such as SAARC, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the D-8 group.
Also present at the meeting were Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs, and Syed Ahmed Maroof, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
BDST: 2055 HRS, April 17, 2025
MSK
