Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen their once-severed relations through increased trade, commerce, and the exchange of sports and cultural delegations. The agreement came during a meeting between Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo.
The talks marked a pivotal moment, as Yunus urged Sharif to address lingering issues from 1971, emphasizing the importance of closure for a brighter future. “Let’s settle these issues and move forward,” Yunus declared, calling for bold steps to bridge the past. Sharif responded by invoking the 1974 tripartite agreement and proposed a strategic partnership, declaring, “We are ready to strengthen ties with our brotherly country.”
The leaders showcased an ambitious agenda: Sharif offered state-of-the-art technical expertise to rejuvenate Bangladesh’s sugar mills, while Yunus pushed for reviving the dormant SAARC. “A SAARC summit, even just for a photo op, would send a powerful message,” Yunus said passionately.
Sharif praised Bangladesh’s leadership and offered Pakistan’s world-class experience in combating dengue outbreaks, even proposing to send a delegation to Dhaka for collaboration. The discussions ended on a high note, with mutual invitations for state visits and a renewed commitment to diplomacy and development.
The 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate also spoke about his government’s plan to carry out “essential reforms” and hold the general election before mid-2026. He stated that he is leading a consensus-building commission to hold dialogue on the reforms. Professor Yunus thanked Sharif for his support and expressed hope that Pakistan and Bangladesh would continue these efforts. Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, and Lutfey Siddiqi, the Special Envoy of Professor Yunus, were among those in attendance.
This meeting of minds signals a new era of partnership, offering hope for deeper cooperation in South Asia. Cooperation between the two countries could set the stage for a broader regional alliance, addressing shared challenges and opportunities in the subcontinent.
Source: Chief Adviser GOB
