 "Pakistan steps up calls, meets with interim Bangladesh govt in name of relief, students...")
Once a foe, now a friend? Does this stand true for Pakistan and Bangladesh? May be yes, as Islamabad, which shared a bitter bond with Dhaka under Sheikh Hasina-led government after refusing to apologise for the 1971 war crimes, is now holding a slew of meetings with members of the interim government in Bangladesh.
The meeting between members of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, and Dhaka-based Pakistan High Commission officials has been taking place since Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5 and her government had to step down.
As per speculations, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka was suspected of playing a role in fanning the violence that forced Hasina to step down from the post of Bangladesh prime minister.
What is Pakistan discussing with Bangladesh’s interim government?
The officials of Pakistan’s High Commission in Dhaka and members of the interim government have been discussing various issues including flood relief, student exchange programmes, sports, IT, youth and culture.
Details of several of these meetings have been shared on X by the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.
On Friday (August 30), Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Yunus and “underscored importance of revitalising bilateral relations through enhanced coop in various domains."
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSharif also expressed desire to enhance commercial relations, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts between both the leaders.
Sharif and Yunus also agreed on the “need to work closely for progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh."
Both the leaders further agreed that greater regional cooperation could play a vital role in uplifting the lives of people of South Asia.
Sharif, during his telephonic conversation with Yunus, also expressed sympathies over the devastation caused by the recent floods in Bangladesh.
Telephone Conversation between Prime Minister of #Pakistan & Chief Adviser, Government of #Bangladesh
— Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh (@PakinBangladesh) August 30, 2024
Today, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with H.E. Professor Muhammad Yunus, @ChiefAdviserGoB.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/TS2rtiJanB
The same day (on August 30), Pakistan students met Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Adviser for Youth and Sports in connection with the flood relief efforts.
Pakistani students today called on H.E. Mr. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan
— Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh (@PakinBangladesh) August 30, 2024
Adviser for Youth and Sports in connection with the flood relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/SsKOLwEZ8f
On Sunday (September 1), the Pakistan High Commission posted pictures of the meeting of Md. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, advisers to the interim government and discussed matters of mutual interest including cooperation in the realms of media, sports, youth and culture and IT were discussed.
Honoured to meet Md. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, advisers to the Interim Government today. Matters of mutual interest including cooperation in the realms of media, sports, youth & culture and IT were discussed. pic.twitter.com/VhBlZszHMa
— Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh (@PakinBangladesh) September 1, 2024
On August 27, the Pakistan High Commission called on Yunus and discussed “matters of mutual interest including ways and means to take bilateral relations forward.”
Called on Hon'ble Chief Adviser H.E. Professor Muhammad Yunus today. We discussed matters of mutual interest including ways and means to take 🇵🇰🇧🇩 bilateral relations forward. @Yunus_Centre @BDMOFA @ForeignOfficePk pic.twitter.com/5GoH9CunFH
— Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh (@PakinBangladesh) August 27, 2024
On August 29, Pakistan foreign secretary met Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser on the sidelines of the OIC meeting.
#Pakistan's Foreign Secretary, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi today met with Mr. Md. Touhid Hossain, Advisor, Ministry of foreign Affairs, 🇧🇩on the sidelines of the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.👇https://t.co/DQf7upnBOR pic.twitter.com/tLXEmeCtOY
— Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh (@PakinBangladesh) August 29, 2024
Within hours after the ouster of the Hasina government, the Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka had also met Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders.
Bangladesh-Pakistan ties
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained strained during the 15-year rule of Hasina, largely due to historical grievances dating back to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
As per reports, Pakistan had made a number of attempts to improve ties with Bangladesh but Hasina rebuffed those efforts.
The change in leadership in Bangladesh and the ascension of Yunus as interim leader has opened avenues for Pakistan to a potential reset in bilateral ties.
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