Sign in Subscribe
Consultants (Persons)

Strengthening Ties with Pakistan: A Key to Mutually Beneficial Cooperation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potential by overcoming certain hurdles. The meeting between Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Professor Yunus at the State Guest Jamuna highlighted the need for a more regular and robust interaction between the private sectors of the two countries. Baloch stressed the potential for intra-market cooperation, emphasizing the need for Bangladesh and Pakistan to "harness the potential between the two countries" and not miss opportunities for cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus stressed the importance of strengthening ties with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potential.
  • Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch emphasized the need for a regular B2B interaction between the private sectors of the two countries and exchange visits at all levels.
  • Baloch highlighted the intra-market potential between Bangladesh and Pakistan, urging both countries to "harness the potential" and not miss opportunities for cooperation.
  • Professor Yunus noted that a delegation of the FPCCI visited Bangladesh in January 2025 and signed an MoU with the FBCCI, indicating progress in bilateral relations.
  • The Chief Adviser invited the public to participate in the upcoming visit of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, hoping it would further boost relations between the two countries.
  • Professor Yunus expressed his preference for closer ties with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, within the framework of SAARC.
  • The Chief Adviser emphasized the need for more youth and cultural exchanges between the two countries to increase people-to-people bonding.
  • Bangladesh and Pakistan will continue to work closely at multilateral and regional forums like SAARC, OIC, and D-8.

Statistics:

  • The visit of the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch is the first such visit from Pakistan in the last 15 years.
  • The upcoming visit of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to take place at the end of April.
  • The number of meetings between Professor Yunus and Pakistani officials in 2024 includes a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in New York on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA in September 2024 and in Cairo on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in December 2024.
  • The two countries have the potential for extensive economic cooperation, with intra-market potential already significant.

Sources:

  • Bangladesh Pratidin
  • The News International
  • Press Release by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing
  • Official Statements by Professor Muhammad Yunus and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

Read more