Karachi: Bangladesh and Pakistan have been working closely to strengthen bilateral relations for the mutual benefits of the two peoples. Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi said that there are ample scopes for widening and strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral relations between the two countries, while addressing a reception arranged by the Bangladesh Mission to celebrate the 54th anniversary of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.
Hon’ble Minister of Sindh Government Mr. Saeed Ghani was the guest of Honour. Bangladesh High Commissioner in Pakistan Mr. Iqbal Husain Khan, Consuls General of different countries in Karachi, other diplomats, senators, members of national and provincial assemblies, political leaderships, government officials of Pakistan and Sindh Province, business leaders, cultural activists, women entrepreneurs, media personalities and jurnalists among others attended the celebration program.
Welcoming the dignitaries, deputy high commissioner mentioned that Bangladesh has an excellent track-record of socio-economic development in the world. Bangladesh is among the five fastest growing economies in the world. It’s a country of religious harmony. It’s a country of rich cultural heritage and tradition of thousand years, he added.
Mentioning Bangladesh is the largest delta in the world, he said that Bangladesh is a green country which is a production powerhouse. Bangladesh is the 8th largest country in terms of population. Bangladesh is the 2nd in Ready Made Garment (RMG) production and export.
He further added that around 15 million Bangladesh nationals live overseas and Bangladesh is the 8th largest annual recipient of foreign remittance over US$25 billion annually. During March 2025 alone, Bangladesh received over three billion USD as remittance. Total annual Exports of Bangladesh is over US$55 billion. Bangladesh will a trillion dollar Economy in the years to come.
Deputy High Commissioner further added that Bangladesh has been pursuing the foreign policy of extraordinary relationships with all the countries, international and regional organizations. Bangladesh is the 2nd in contributing peacekeepers to the UN Peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh has provided temporary shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingya of Myanmar nationality, which is an extraordinary example of humanitarian stand of the peace-loving people of Bangladesh.
He further added that Bangladesh and Pakistan has been maintaining an excellent bilateral relationships. Hon’ble Chief Advisor of Bangladesh H.E. Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Pakistan HE. Mr. Shehbaz Sharif had several meetings during last few months. They met in September 2024, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. They also met on 19 December 2024, on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo. They also had couple of telephone conversations recently to extend greetings.
In the meetings they discussed about expanding bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. They highlighted the historical, religious and cultural linkages between the two countries. They expressed their keen desire to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, trade & investment, people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges.
Deputy High Commissioner added that, on 17 April 2025, the 6th Round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations between Pakistan and Bangladesh took place in Dhaka.
Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Ambassador Mr. Jashim Uddin and Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Ambassador HE Amna Baloch, led the respective delegations and discussed entire gamut of bilateral relations. He further added that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan HE. Mr. Ishaq Dar is expected to visit Bangladesh during the last week of April 2025.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have been engaging for wider trade and commerce. Direct container ship between the countries in now operational since November 2024 when a cargo ship sailed from Karachi to Chittagong.
The Operation of direct air flight between the two countries is expected to start soon. A good number of delegations from both the countries exchanged their visits in the recent months. Pakistani delegations from FPCCI, TDAP, TCP, and Cultural troupes visited Bangladesh.
The potential of trade and commerce and investment in Bangladesh is huge. Items such as raw jute, jute and jute products, tea, different chemicals, chemical fertilizers, garments, leather and lather products, plastic items, ceramic products, and pharmaceutical products and so forth are few of the export items, which Pakistan may import from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has an excellent environment for foreign investment. A delegation from Pakistan participated at the Bangladesh Investment Summit during 07-10 April 2025 in Dhaka. They Bangladesh diplomat added that the People of Bangladesh are very hospitable.
Bangladesh has lot of touristic attractions including Cox’s Bazar, the longest un-broken sandy beach and the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. He invited more business delegations and tourists from Pakistan to Bangladesh and assured to extend all possible support to facilitate the visits including connecting, coordinating and processing visas a priority basis.
