Pak FM to arrive Saturday, six instruments to be signed

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday for a two-day official visit. During his trip, the two sides will discuss the signing of six instruments.

Dar will also hold discussions with Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammad Yunus and leaders of several political parties in Bangladesh. He is set to hold a bilateral meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Touhid Hossain, at the State Guest House Padma on Sunday.

According to a foreign ministry official, the two sides are working on six instruments, including one agreement. Among those under discussion are:

• An agreement allowing visa-free travel for diplomats and government officials

• A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint working group between the trade ministries of the two countries

• Cooperation between the foreign service academies of both nations

• Collaboration between the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and Pakistan’s Institute of Strategic Studies

• An MoU between the national news agencies of Bangladesh and Pakistan

• Renewal of a cultural cooperation memorandum

The Pakistani foreign minister is also scheduled to meet leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political parties.

“Pakistan wants to increase its engagement with Bangladesh’s future leadership,” said a diplomat.

Bilateral ties between the two countries soured during the 15-year regime of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, but both sides are now working to rebuild relations.

Over the past year, Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammad Yunus has held two bilateral meetings with the Pakistani Prime Minister on the sidelines of international events.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com