ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, urged the international community to reaffirm it commitment to multilateralism and collective action during a Security Council meeting convened by China on Wednesday.
An informal session, the meeting provided a platform to the member states to discuss the challenges posed by unilateral actions in the current global context.
Ambassador Ahmad highlighted the unraveling of longstanding norms that underpin global peace and cooperation, emphasizing the need to revive faith in multilateralism.
“History reminds us that enduring peace and sustainable solutions have never come from unilateral actions or coercive practices,” he said. “They emanate from inclusion, respect, shared purpose and unified responses.”
The Pakistani diplomat also called for reforms in the international trading system to better reflect the aspirations and needs of developing countries.
“Trade should be a bridge, not a barrier — a vehicle for peace and shared prosperity, not domination or isolation,” he added.
Ahmad underscored the importance of empowering the UN to lead global development cooperation and champion equitable systems of trade, finance and climate governance.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering belief in multilateralism and the central role of the world body in fostering a fairer, more peaceful and compassionate international order.
The UN meeting was held at a time when the international community faces increasing polarization, with wars, inequality, economic instability and climate change threatening global peace and security.
Pakistan calls for revival of multilateralism at UN amid rising global tensions
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Pakistan calls for revival of multilateralism at UN amid rising global tensions
- Ambassador Ahmad highlights the unraveling of longstanding norms supporting global peace
- He says international trade should reflect the aspirations and needs of developing countries
Pakistani, Bangladeshi officials discuss trade, investment and aviation as ties thaw
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between Pakistan, Bangladesh have warmed up since last year and both nations have resumed sea trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Sunday met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, the latter's office said on, with the two figures discussing trade, investment and aviation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024. Relations remain frosty between Dhaka and New Delhi over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
Pakistan has attempted to forge closer ties with Bangladesh in recent months and both South Asian nations last year began sea trade, followed by efforts to expand government-to-government commerce.
"During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation as well as scaling up cultural, educational and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations," Yunus's office said in a statement on X.
In 2023-24 Pakistan exported goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh, while its imports were only $57 million, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. In Aug. this year, the Pakistani and Bangladeshi commerce ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade, aiming to raise their bilateral trade volume to $1 billion in the financial year that began in July.
The Pakistani high commissioner noted that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 percent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities, according to the statement.
He highlighted a significant increase in cultural exchanges, adding that Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also said that Dhaka-Karachi direct flights are expected to start in January.
"Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the growing interactions between the two countries and emphasized the importance of increased visits as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states," the statement read.
"Professor Yunus also underscored the need to further boost Bangladesh–Pakistan trade and expressed hope that during Mr. Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new avenues for investment and joint venture businesses."
