Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, began his two‑day visit to Dhaka on Saturday with separate meetings at the Pakistan High Commission in Gulshan, engaging with representatives from the BNP, Jamaat‑e‑Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP).
At around 6:25 pm, Ishaq Dar met with the BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
According to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, “Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared regional interests.”
The meeting also covered regional cooperation, with special acknowledgment of Bangladesh’s foundational role in SAARC, and reflected on past high‑level exchanges between the two countries.
Jamaat‑e‑Islami delegation, led by Naib‑e‑Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, emphasised in their discussions “issues of mutual interest, regional trade, and ways to further strengthen ties.”
He remarked, “These matters are for the two governments to discuss. We hope the government will address them,” in reference to unresolved issues of 1971.
The NCP’s Member‑Secretary Akhtar Hossain said they presented “the perceptions that Bangladesh’s people have about Pakistan” and called for addressing the 1971 issue as a condition for advancing bilateral relations.
NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari added, “We told them the 1971 issue should be resolved quickly. They said they were prepared to do so”.
Later, Ishaq Dar also held a press engagement at the High Commission, inviting the gathering to visit Pakistan and contribute to this “new phase of our reinvigorated partnership.”
He highlighted Pakistan’s “strong desire to forge a cooperative and forward‑looking relationship with Bangladesh,” and affirmed Pakistan’s intent to engage with all stakeholders– government, political parties, academia, civil society, media, and youth– to pursue peace, progress, and prosperity across the region.
