Pakistan stresses turning existing goodwill with Bangladesh into 'tangible cooperation'
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for translating existing goodwill between Islamabad and Dhaka into 'tangible cooperation,' his office said, as both countries move toward closer ties following the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina.
Historically, Pakistan and Bangladesh share a complex relationship. Emerging as a single independent nation in 1947, the two separated in 1971 when Bangladesh gained independence following a brutal conflict. Tensions persisted during Hasina’s tenure, especially due to her government’s prosecution of Jamaat-e-Islami members for alleged war crimes during the liberation war.
The remarks by Sharif were made during a farewell meeting with Bangladesh’s outgoing high commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Muhammad Ruhul Alam Siddique, who completed his four-year tenure.
Expressing his appreciation for Siddique's efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, Sharif noted, “The existing goodwill between Pakistan and Bangladesh should be transformed into tangible cooperation.” He also extended his warm wishes to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, highlighting Pakistan’s appreciation for its shared history, faith, and cultural ties with Bangladesh.
Siddique, in turn, expressed gratitude for the hospitality and support provided to him during his time in Pakistan.
In September, Pakistan’s foreign office reiterated Islamabad’s desire for robust, multifaceted relations with Bangladesh to ensure regional peace and stability. The same month, Sharif met Dr. Yunus in New York during an event commemorating 50 years of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations. Both leaders expressed mutual interest in fostering deeper cooperation across various sectors.
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