Ishaq Dar, Khaleda Zia discuss normalising Bangladesh-Pakistan ties
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar today (24 August) visited BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence.
Dar arrived at Feroza, Khaleda's residence, at 6:56pm, said BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan.
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Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said talks between Khaleda and Dar focused on the normalisation of Bangladesh-Pakistan bilateral relations and on working jointly in international forums.
Zahid stated that the Pakistani deputy prime minister had come to inquire about Khaleda's health and exchange greetings. Dar conveyed greetings to Khaleda on behalf of Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the people of Pakistan.
Discussions were held on matters of mutual interest between the two countries, he added.
The BNP leader further said that the country's ongoing political situation was not discussed in detail. However, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) was discussed, and both sides expressed hope for revitalising the organisation.
"Madam [Khaleda Zia] recalled her memories related to Saarc. She also inquired about the flood situation in Pakistan," he said.
Asked if Bangladesh's upcoming national election was discussed, Zahid said the Pakistani side expressed hope that Bangladesh is heading toward elections.
He added that discussions reflected the hope that Bangladesh will move toward a healthy political environment in the coming days.
Earlier, around 6:15pm, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Zahid arrived at Khaleda's residence.
The Pakistani deputy prime minister arrived in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.
He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.
After his arrival, Dar held meetings with delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP).
