In a recent telephonic conversation, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus pledged to strengthen ties between their nations and work closely for the progress and prosperity of South Asia. The conversation emphasized the need for enhanced regional cooperation to uplift the lives of people in both countries and across the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated Yunus on his new role as Chief Adviser and praised his contributions to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. He also expressed sympathy for the devastation caused by recent floods in Bangladesh, offering Pakistan’s support in relief efforts. The floods, resulting from relentless monsoon rains, have affected millions and caused significant loss of life and property in Bangladesh.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz underscored the importance of revitalizing bilateral relations through increased cooperation in various fields. He highlighted the historical, religious, and cultural ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and expressed a strong desire to boost commercial relations, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts between the two nations.
This rare high-level contact comes shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz extended Pakistan’s support to Bangladesh in a letter to Yunus, following the severe flooding. The prime minister’s gesture of solidarity reflects a broader commitment to improving ties between the two countries, which have often been strained due to historical and political differences.
The recent change in Bangladesh’s political landscape has also created new opportunities for strengthening relations. The ouster of Sheikh Hasina, following mass protests that began over job quotas and escalated into a broader movement, has opened the door for a potential reset in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. Hasina’s resignation and subsequent flight into exile marked the end of her long tenure in power, which spanned 20 of the last 30 years.
The mass protests, which led to over 1,000 deaths, culminated in jubilant crowds taking over the presidential residence, signaling a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political dynamics. With Yunus now at the helm, both Pakistan and Bangladesh seem poised to explore new avenues for cooperation and mutual growth, aiming to foster stability and prosperity in South Asia.
