During a bilateral meeting in Cairo on Thursday, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed a shared commitment to resolving longstanding grievances from the 1971 war, paving the way for stronger relations between the two nations. Yunus emphasized the need to address these issues for progress, while Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s desire to foster deeper ties through enhanced trade, cultural exchanges, and cooperation in various sectors.
Both leaders agreed to focus on increasing bilateral trade, particularly in sectors such as chemicals, cement, surgical goods, and IT. Additionally, Yunus expressed intentions to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), despite the challenges posed by India’s stance on Pakistan. The leaders agreed that a summit of SAARC leaders, even for symbolic reasons, could send a powerful message of regional unity.
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On the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo, Shehbaz also held productive discussions with leaders from Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, and Egypt. The meetings emphasized mutual support on core issues, regional peace, and further economic cooperation, particularly in areas like agriculture, green technology, and IT. Pakistan reaffirmed its solidarity with Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
These diplomatic engagements underscore Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries and deepen multilateral cooperation in the region.
