ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday invited his Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, to Islamabad as they discussed bilateral cooperation in a telephonic conversation, the premier’s office confirmed.
The invitation comes amid other diplomatic moves suggesting improving relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his cordial invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Pakistan,” the premier office’s said in a statement, adding that “Pakistan is committed to deepening fraternal relations with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect and sovereign equality.”
The two leaders also discussed coronavirus response and “their respective steps to deal with the myriad of challenges posed by COVID-19.”
The development is yet another one hinting at a thaw in Pakistani-Bangladeshi relations.
A “quiet” meeting earlier this month between Pakistan’s envoy to Dhaka, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen has also raised hopes for improvement in bilateral ties.
The relationship has been tense since the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s separation from Pakistan.
It reached a new low in 2016 after Bangladesh executed several leaders of its Jamaat-e-Islami on charges of committing war crimes in 1971, in what Pakistan has called “politically motivated trials.”
In rare call, PM Khan invites Bangladesh counterpart to Pakistan
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In rare call, PM Khan invites Bangladesh counterpart to Pakistan
- The call comes amid other diplomatic developments suggesting improving relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh
- Earlier this month, Pakistan’s envoy to Dhaka met with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen
Pakistan says economy stabilizing as it looks to 2026 growth
- Inflation averages 5 percent, remittances hit $16.1 billion as government cites signs of recovery
- IT exports, industry and development spending highlighted as focus shifts to next year’s targets
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economy has shown signs of stabilization in the first half of the current fiscal year, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday, as the government looks ahead to sustaining growth momentum into 2026 after several years of economic volatility.
Briefing the media on economic performance through November, Iqbal said key indicators including inflation, industrial output, exports, remittances and fiscal revenues had improved, creating what he described as a more stable base for forward planning.
Pakistan has spent much of the past two years navigating high inflation, external financing pressures and fiscal tightening under an IMF-backed reform program. While growth remains modest, officials say recent data suggests the economy has moved out of crisis mode and into a consolidation phase.
“During July to November of fiscal year 2025–26, stability has returned to Pakistan’s economy,” Iqbal said, adding that average inflation during the period stood at around 5 percent, compared with 7.9% last year, easing pressure on households and businesses.
Large-scale manufacturing posted growth of 4.1 percent, which Iqbal described as “clear evidence of recovery in industrial activity.”
The planning minister said government revenues also improved, with Federal Board of Revenue collections reaching Rs4,733 billion ($16.9 billion) during July–November, reflecting a 10.2% increase.
External inflows remained resilient, with workers’ remittances rising 9.3% to $16.1 billion, while IT services exports increased 19% to $1.8 billion over the same period, he said.
On the public investment side, Iqbal said Rs196 billion ($700 million) were released under the development budget during the quarter, of which Rs92 billion ($329 million) had already been spent. He added that cost rationalization in development projects between July and October saved Rs3.3 billion ($11.8 million) billion in public funds.
In November, the planning minister said, the Central Development Working Party approved 10 development projects, while six major schemes were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
Iqbal said the approved projects were expected to create 994 immediate jobs, with nearly 24,859 direct and 40,873 indirect employment opportunities projected overall.
Looking ahead, he said all future development schemes would be required to comply with green building codes to ensure environmental protection and sustainable growth.
He also highlighted skills and innovation initiatives, saying that under the “Uraan Pakistan” program, partnerships with Oxford and Cambridge universities were being pursued to promote research, technology and innovation.
Under an IT industry revival plan, he said more than 20,000 young people were being trained in advanced technologies, with over 14,000 new jobs expected to be created.
The government has said maintaining macroeconomic stability while gradually lifting growth remains its central challenge as Pakistan moves into 2026, with officials emphasising disciplined spending, export growth and job creation as key priorities.
