Pakistan FM calls 36-hour Bangladesh visit 'very productive'

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has described his just-concluded 36-hour visit to Bangladesh as "very productive," saying it will add new momentum to bilateral relations.

He held extensive meetings with top officials of the interim government, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, said Dar from his official 'X' (formerly tweeter) account.

He also met with Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin, and senior officials from key ministries and government bodies, including the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, Bangladesh Bank, and the National Board of Revenue.

The visiting Pakistani minister also met with leaders of major political parties, along with intellectuals, members of think tanks, academics, and business leaders.

Dar stated that he had "wide-ranging and fruitful discussions" with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, during which there was a "complete convergence of views."

The discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations, from trade and economic cooperation to cultural exchanges, education, and people-to-people contacts.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the revitalisation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The visit culminated in the signing of two agreements and four MoUs.

Dar, in his post, expressed confidence that the visit would lead to more frequent exchanges and enhanced cooperation across all sectors. He also extended his gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for their hospitality.

Following the visit, the Pakistani foreign minister flew directly from Dhaka to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on Palestine today (25 August).