CA Yunus stresses revitalising SAARC in meeting with Pakistan's Deputy PM Dar
The meeting also focused on strengthening youth exchanges, improving connectivity and boosting trade and economic cooperation
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (24 August) and discussed strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade, youth-to-youth exchanges, increasing education and cultural exchanges and revitalising regional cooperation through SAARC.
The recent developments in the region and the prospects of regional cooperation also came up at the meeting for discussions as the chief adviser highlighted the importance of revitalising all potential avenues of regional and bilateral cooperation, urging progress in bilateral trade and emphasising the role of people-to-people connections, particularly among youth, according to a press release issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
Earlier, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said, the meeting also focused on strengthening youth exchanges, improving connectivity and boosting trade and economic cooperation.
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Ishaq Dar conveyed Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's greetings to the chief adviser, and he warmly reciprocated, recalling past exchanges with the Pakistani prime minister saying, "Every time Prime Minister Sharif and I met, we spoke about SAARC. Our visions are aligned, and SAARC remains a top priority for both of us."
"I encourage SAARC, and I see our relationship with Pakistan and other SAARC countries as one of the highest priorities," said the chief adviser.
Underscoring opportunities for collaboration and expanding trade ties, Deputy Prime Minister Dar remarked, "I feel our two economies are complementary. There are many areas where we can work together."
While acknowledging that some sensitive issues remain, Professor Yunus emphasised several areas of collaboration, including frequent cultural exchanges.
"When Pakistani singers perform in Bangladesh, everyone appreciates their talent. That is the spirit we must build upon," Yunus remarked.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Dar, who is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit Bangladesh in 13 years, shared that efforts were underway to improve connectivity, including shipping and air travel.
"By October, we hope Fly Jinnah will launch direct flights between our two countries. The PIA is also expected to launch direct flights to Dhaka once the airlines is privatised," he announced.
He also expressed his gratitude to Chief Adviser Yunus for the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit.
Both leaders expressed optimism that enhanced trade, deepening cultural exchange, and regional cooperation would contribute to a more stable and prosperous South Asia.
The high-level meeting was also attended by the Chief Adviser's Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi.
