[🇧🇩] Bangladesh-Pakistan Relation---Can we look beyond 1971?

[Saif]

Pakistan PM wishes quick recovery of Khaleda

Describing BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as a towering figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended his best wishes for a swift and complete recovery of the former Bangladesh Prime Minister. "I am perturbed to learn about your health iss

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Pakistan PM wishes quick recovery of Khaleda
UNB
Published :
Feb 02, 2025 20:59
Updated :
Feb 02, 2025 20:59

Describing BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as a towering figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended his best wishes for a swift and complete recovery of the former Bangladesh Prime Minister.

"I am perturbed to learn about your health issues and wish to convey my best wishes for your swift and complete recovery,” said PM Sharif in an official letter addressed to the BNP leader.

He acknowledged Khaleda Zia’s significant contributions to Bangladesh's politics. “You have been a towering figure in the political landscape of Bangladesh. Your unwavering dedication to public service remains an inspiration to many,” he wrote in the letter dated January 31.

The Pakistan PM prayed for her good health and well-being. “Our thoughts are with you, your family, and your supporters during this period. May Allah the Almighty protect you from all ailments and grant you good health,” he said.

BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan confirmed the letter on Sunday.

The three-time former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, has long been suffering from liver cirrhosis, kidney and heart issues, diabetes, and arthritis.

She left Dhaka for London in early January aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar to receive advanced treatment at the London Clinic.

The 79-year-old, Khaleda Zia, was admitted to the London Clinic on January 8 and discharged from the clinic on January 25. Since then she has continued her medical treatment at her son Tarique Rahman's residence under the supervision of Professor John Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross, both of whom have been overseeing her care at the clinic.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh approves Fly Jinnah for Karachi-Dhaka route

Bangladesh has approved Pakistan’s private airline, Fly Jinnah, to operate direct flights on the Karachi-Dhaka route, resuming air connectivity between the two cities after nearly a decade

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh approves Fly Jinnah for Karachi-Dhaka route

Representational Image

Bangladesh has approved Pakistan's private airline, Fly Jinnah, to operate direct flights on the Karachi-Dhaka route, resuming air connectivity between the two cities after nearly a decade.

"They (Fly Jinnah) applied to us, and we have approved it," Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan told The Daily Star this evening.

Before launching operations, Fly Jinnah has to appoint a local General Sales Agent (GSA) in Bangladesh.

"Now they (Fly Jinnah) will appoint a GSA (General Sales Agent). Once they request slots and frequencies, we will provide them. Our part is currently complete," Bhuiyan said.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan's state-owned flag carrier, last operated direct flights on this route until February 2015.

Fly Jinnah, a budget airline, is a joint venture between Pakistan's Lakson Group and UAE-based Air Arabia, a low-cost carrier headquartered in Sharjah.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh imports 5,500MTs molasses from Pakistan

For the first time, Bangladesh has imported molasses from Pakistan through Mongla Port...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh imports 5,500MTs molasses from Pakistan
Staff Correspondent 06 February, 2025, 23:43

Commodore Md Shafiqul Islam Sarker, member (harbour & marine) of the Mongla Port Authority, addresses a press conference in the port area on Thursday. | Press release

For the first time, Bangladesh has imported molasses from Pakistan through Mongla Port.

The Panama-flagged vessel MT Dolphin-19 arrived at Mongla Port Thursday morning, carrying 5,500 metric tonnes of molasses from Karachi Port, Pakistan, said a press release.

According to Mongla Port Authority, the vessel departed from Karachi Port on January 22.

Commodore Md Shafiqul Islam Sarker, member (harbour & marine) of the port authority, Md Kamal Hossain, director (traffic), among others, spoke at a press conference after the arrival of the vessel.​

 

[Saif]

Pakistan FM likely to visit Dhaka in April: Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said that there was no reason to maintain strained relations with Pakistan, as he disclosed that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to visit Dhaka in April. “We are assuming that Pakistan&rsq

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Pakistan FM likely to visit Dhaka in April: Touhid
BSS
Published :
Feb 06, 2025 20:32
Updated :
Feb 06, 2025 20:32

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said that there was no reason to maintain strained relations with Pakistan, as he disclosed that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to visit Dhaka in April.

“We are assuming that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister will visit. However, the exact date has not been finalised yet. But I don’t think it (visit) will be before April,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the foreign ministry this afternoon.

He added, “Both sides are working on it (regarding the visit). There is still time, and we will make some decisions in the meantime.”

When asked whether Dhaka would raise the issue of Pakistan’s apology for its role in 1971 and compensation for Bangladesh, Hossain acknowledged that unresolved issues between the two countries remain even after 53 years and said these matters would be brought up during discussions.

However, he said, “If we remain fixated on those issues, neither side will benefit. We will, of course, try to protect and recover our interests, but at the same time, we want to view our relations with Pakistan as we would with any other country. We do not want to perceive our relationship with them negatively.”

Hossain emphasised that Dhaka views Pakistan as a South Asian nation with which both countries share mutual interests.

The adviser also pointed out that maritime connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan has already resumed, bringing positive economic benefits. “We will try to maximise our benefits from this opportunity,” he added.

Responding to another query, the foreign adviser said the previous Awami League-led government intentionally strained relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, which did not serve the interests of either country.​

 

[Saif]

Pakistan foreign minister likely to visit Bangladesh next month

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the foreign minister of the country, would visit Bangladesh in April this year at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. Local news portals said Pakistan foreign ministry’s additional secretary (Asia

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Pakistan foreign minister likely to visit Bangladesh next month
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Mar 05, 2025 21:08
Updated :
Mar 06, 2025 00:07

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the foreign minister of the country, would visit Bangladesh in April this year at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.

Local news portals said Pakistan foreign ministry’s additional secretary (Asia Pacific) Imran Ahmed Siddiqui arrived in Dhaka as part of preparation for their foreign minister’s upcoming Dhaka visit.

According to BSS, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui held a meeting with Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Md. Jashim Uddin at the foreign ministry in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Siddiqui carried a letter from Pakistan’s foreign minister addressed to Bangladesh's foreign affairs adviser and handed it over to the Foreign Secretary, said a press release.

They also discussed the importance of holding the foreign secretary-level consultations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, the last meeting of which was held in 2010, and the meeting of the Joint Economic Commission, the last meeting of which was held in 2005.

During the meeting, both sides recalled the substantive discussion between Bangladesh's Chief Adviser and Pakistan's Prime Minister during their meetings in Cairo on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in December 2024 and in New York in September 2024 on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA.

They also recalled the meeting between Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in Apia, Samoa in October 2024.

The discussion also covered the issue of strengthening cooperation to enhance trade and reduce the trade gap.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the recent visits of several trade delegations from Pakistan to Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of visits by the product-specific trade delegations from Bangladesh to Pakistan.

Cooperation in the sectors of tourism, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, the issue of forcibly displaced Rohingyas and cooperation in the international forum were also discussed.

The importance of strengthened regional and multilateral cooperation through SAARC, OIC, and D-8 was also highlighted.

Siddiqui was accompanied by Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof.​