Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday emphasized the importance of strengthening Bangladesh-Pakistan relations to enhance cooperation and explore untapped trade and business opportunities.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch at the State Guest House Jamuna. Baloch is the first Pakistani foreign secretary to visit Bangladesh in 15 years.
“There are some hurdles, but we must find ways to overcome them and move forward,” Yunus said.
Acknowledging historical challenges, Baloch echoed the need to move past them and focus on shared economic potential. “We have huge intramarket potential that we should utilize,” she said. “We can’t afford to keep missing opportunities.”
Baloch stressed the importance of regular business-to-business (B2B) engagement and increased exchange visits between the private sectors of both countries. She referred to the January 2025 visit by a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to Bangladesh, which resulted in the signing of an MoU with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
She also expressed optimism that the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar at the end of April would help further strengthen bilateral ties.
Yunus reiterated his support for closer relations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, within the framework of SAARC. He underscored the value of youth and cultural exchange programs to build stronger people-to-people connections.
“For too long, our relationship remained frozen. We need to break down the barriers and reconnect,” he said.
Recalling his meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York and the D-8 Summit in Cairo in 2024, Yunus said those discussions played a key role in improving bilateral engagement.
He added that Bangladesh and Pakistan will continue working together in regional and international platforms such as SAARC, OIC, and D-8.
Senior Secretary on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed and Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof were also present at the meeting.
