ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held a telephone conversation with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of “revitalizing” bilateral ties and strengthening commercial and cultural relations.
The Nobel Peace Prize winning economist Yunus was sworn in as the head of the country’s caretaker government on Aug. 8, three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to quit and flee the country following violent protests. Yunus, 84, was recommended for the role by student protesters.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have had a complicated relationship since the former was born out of a war between India and Pakistan in 1971 in which nearly three million people were killed. Its founding father and first prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, Hasina’s father, was assassinated in 1975 in a military coup which brought in a long period of military rule. Though democracy was restored slowly by 1990, the country of nearly 170 million people has been rocked by sporadic periods of sectarian or political violence in recent years.
“The Prime Minister underscored the importance of revitalizing bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in different domains,” the foreign office said in a statement about the PM’s phone call with Yunus. “Noting the historical, religious and cultural bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Prime Minister expressed a keen desire to boost commercial relations, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
“Both the leaders agreed that there was a need to work closely for progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh. They further agreed that greater regional cooperation could play a vital role in uplifting the lives of the people of South Asia.”
The interim government Yunus heads is tasked with holding fresh elections in the South Asian country of 170 million people.
The student-led movement that ousted Hasina grew out of protests against quotas in government jobs that spiraled in July, provoking a violent crackdown that drew global criticism, although the government denied using excessive force.
The protests were fueled also by harsh economic conditions and political repression in the country.
Pakistani PM says important to ‘revitalize’ bilateral relations in phone call with Bangladesh’s Yunus
https://arab.news/cnzka
Pakistani PM says important to ‘revitalize’ bilateral relations in phone call with Bangladesh’s Yunus
- Interim government Yunus heads is tasked with holding fresh elections in Bangladesh after Hasina’s ouster this month
- Bangladesh was born out of a war between India and Pakistan in 1971 in which nearly three million people were killed
High-level Libyan delegation meets Pakistan PM, discusses areas for future cooperation
- The meeting comes over a month after Pakistan reportedly struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment to Libyan National Army
- PM Sharif reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly ties with Libya, emphasizes the importance of continued engagement and dialogue
ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from Libya on Tuesday called on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad and discussed areas for future cooperation between the two sides, PM Sharif’s office said.
The delegation comprised Dr. Osama Saad Hamad, who governs eastern Libya, Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar and his deputy, Lt. Gen. Saddam Khalifa Haftar.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, according to PM Sharif’s office.
“The meeting reflected the shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability, and development at regional and international levels,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
The development comes more than a month after reports suggested Pakistan had struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment, including JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, to the LNA that controls eastern Libya.
The reports followed the visit of Pakistani Defense Forces Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to Libya in December. There has been no official confirmation of the deal so far.
Libya has been subject to a UN arms embargo since 2011, requiring approval from the UN for transfers of weapons and related material. It was not clear whether Pakistan or Libya had applied for any exemptions to the UN embargo.
PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya and emphasized the importance of continued engagement and dialogue, according to his office. The Libyan leadership appreciated Pakistan’s role and expressed interest in expanding collaboration between the two countries.
“The meeting concluded with an understanding to maintain close contact and explore avenues for future cooperation,” Sharif’s office said.
On Monday, LNA Commander-in-Chief Haftar also met Field Marshal Munir and discussed with him military cooperation and regional security, according to the Pakistani military.
“Both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on security dynamics in respective regions and professional cooperation,” the Pakistani military said.
“The discussion underscored the importance of continued engagement and collaboration between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Libya.”
