The Pakistan Prime Minister thanked Bangladesh for waiving off the condition of 100 per cent physical inspection of consignments from Pakistan and abolishment of special security desk at the Dhaka airport earlier established to scrutinise Pakistani passengers.

Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammed Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the D8 summit at Cairo on Thursday. They agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries through increased trade, commerce, and exchange of sports and cultural delegations. 

The two leaders also expressed their desire to extend cooperation in new areas such as the sugar industry and dengue management, said a spokesperson of the Chief Adviser’s Office.

The spokesperson said that Bangladesh and Pakistan have pledged to fortify their bilateral relations, exploring new avenues of cooperation in trade, commerce, culture, and health. He said that the leaders’ discussion marked a significant step forward in fostering goodwill and collaboration between the two South Asian nations.

The D-8 was established on June 15, 1997, after the Summit of Heads of State/Government in Istanbul. Both, Pakistan and Bangladesh are members of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as Developing-8. Other D-8 countries include, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey. 

Enhancing Economic Cooperation

In a cordial and constructive dialogue, the two leaders emphasized the immense potential for expanding economic ties. Professor Yunus and Prime Minister Sharif agreed to explore opportunities in sectors such as chemicals, cement clinkers, surgical goods, leather products, and information technology. The discussions also delved into reinvigorating Bangladesh’s sugar industry, with Pakistan offering technical support and technology-sharing to revitalize state-run sugar mills in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed his gratitude for Bangladesh’s recent measures to ease trade and travel restrictions, such as waiving the condition of 100% physical inspection for Pakistani consignments and abolishing the special security desk at Dhaka airport for Pakistani passengers. He also acknowledged Bangladesh’s removal of additional visa clearance requirements, which is expected to enhance bilateral travel and business exchanges.

Both leaders highlighted the importance of revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Professor Yunus, a Nobel Peace laureate, reiterated his commitment to a regional summit. “Even a photo session of SAARC leaders would send a strong message,” he said, underscoring his government’s priority to foster regional unity.

Prime Minister Sharif praised this initiative and expressed his government’s support for Bangladesh’s efforts. He proposed a strategic partnership between Dhaka and Islamabad to further regional goals and emphasized the historical, cultural, and religious bonds shared by the two nations.

Addressing Legacy Issues

During the meeting, Professor Yunus urged the need to resolve lingering issues stemming from the 1971 war, which he described as vital for advancing bilateral relations. He called for a constructive dialogue to address these matters. Prime Minister Sharif referred to the 1974 tripartite agreement involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India as a foundation for resolving historical grievances, expressing optimism about fostering mutual understanding.

Combating Dengue Together

As part of the health dialogue, the leaders discussed collaborative efforts in dengue management. Bangladesh, currently grappling with a severe outbreak, welcomed Pakistan’s offer to share expertise from its successful dengue containment efforts in Punjab. Prime Minister Sharif proposed dispatching a delegation of health experts to assist Bangladesh in combating the epidemic.

Cultural and Sports Exchanges

Acknowledging the role of cultural and sports diplomacy in strengthening ties, the leaders applauded recent initiatives such as the Bangladesh cricket team’s visit to Pakistan and the concert by a Pakistani artist in Dhaka. They agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts by promoting exchanges of artists, sportspersons, academics, and students.

Commitment to High-Level Engagement

The leaders expressed satisfaction with the increasing frequency of high-level engagements, noting that such interactions underscore the growing warmth in bilateral ties. To sustain this momentum, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar accepted an invitation to visit Bangladesh in February 2024, en route to Malaysia. Similarly, Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to Professor Yunus to visit Pakistan, reinforcing the mutual commitment to continued dialogue.

Professor Yunus shared insights into his government’s ongoing reforms and plans to hold general elections before mid-2026. He emphasized the importance of building a consensus for meaningful reforms, which he described as crucial for Bangladesh’s democratic and economic progress.

The meeting concluded with a shared vision for fostering a robust and dynamic partnership. Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to aligning efforts for mutually beneficial development, emphasizing cooperation at multilateral forums such as the D-8. As Bangladesh and Pakistan embark on this renewed chapter of cooperation, their commitment to overcoming historical challenges and leveraging shared opportunities holds promise for strengthening ties in South Asia and beyond.