Bangladesh and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest following a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar held discussions with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain during the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the "upward trajectory" of relations, underlining their shared historical, religious, and cultural linkages.
The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, in a statement, described the meeting as cordial, reflecting the fraternal sentiments between the two nations.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka did not issue a corresponding media release.
During the discussions, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation, particularly in trade, cultural exchanges, and fostering greater people-to-people connectivity.
Pakistan has conveyed its eagerness to hold foreign secretary-level talks with Bangladesh to further boost diplomatic engagement and economic ties.
The OIC summit, which commenced on Friday (7 March) in Jeddah, primarily focused on the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestinians and plans for annexation and forced displacement.
In a speech marking the opening of the session, Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, whose country currently chairs the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, underscored the need for a unified stance on the crisis in line with the OIC charter and relevant UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Additional Secretary for Asia-Pacific Affairs, Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, recently met Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin in Dhaka.
Siddiqui handed over a letter from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister addressed to Adviser Hossain, further indicating Islamabad’s keenness to bolster diplomatic exchanges.
Both nations are also engaging in discussions to remove customs and non-customs barriers hindering trade, with traders from both sides advocating for smoother economic collaboration.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister is expected to visit Bangladesh, though not before April, according to Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain.
