High Commissioner Mr. Imran Haider paid a courtesy call today on H.E. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Hon’ble President of Bangladesh. Discussions focussed on positive momentum in bilateral relations and multifaceted collaborations.
The President welcomed the High Commissioner and thanked Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan for the felicitation message on his assumption of Office. In response to the invitation extended to him by the President to visit Pakistan, he said that he would like to undertake the visit at the earliest convenience.
Recalling shared history, common faith, cultural and familial affinities between people of Pakistan and Bangladesh, the President noted that these associations provide a robust foundation to enhance mutually beneficial bilateral collaborations across a wide range of sectors. He expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory in various avenues of cooperation including health sector, science and technology, cultural and people to people exchanges. Other sectors such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics and agriculture were also discussed during the meeting.
High Commissioner thanked the President for receiving him and briefed him about the different ongoing initiatives. He noted that medical tourism from Bangladesh to Pakistan is rising and Pakistani health professionals are training Bangladeshi counterparts in organ transplantation, with a view to develop domestic capacity and reducing treatment costs for Bangladeshi patients. Under Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, around 200 Bangladeshi students have been enrolled in top ranking Pakistani universities, while training courses are also being organized for Bangladeshi civil servants.
On direct air connectivity, the High Commissioner highlighted the growing demand for increased flight frequencies and the opening of additional routes. The President observed that enhanced connectivity was crucial to enhance business, cultural and people to people contacts.
High Commissioner Haider noted that there is a huge untapped potential of bilateral cooperation, which may be realised through concerted efforts by both sides. He reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistani leadership to expand cooperation with Bangladesh across all areas of mutual interest.
The two sides agreed to build upon the exiting momentum and further strengthen bilateral ties through closer and sustained engagements.
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