Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday, where the two dignitaries discussed strengthening bilateral relations, including the revival of direct air connectivity between the nations.
Mr Iqbal is visiting the Bangladeshi capital to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony for Prime Minister-Elect Mr Tarique Rahman.
During the discussion, the Pakistani minister congratulated Professor Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the successful conclusion of their recent elections. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for the concerted efforts to enhance bilateral ties across various sectors, such as trade and people-to-people contacts.
The Chief Adviser reciprocated the sentiment, thanking the minister for the visit. Recalling previous meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Professor Yunus remarked that the numerous affinities shared by Pakistan and Bangladesh provide a robust foundation for advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.
Mr Iqbal also updated Professor Yunus on the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships, established under the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor. He noted that the first group of scholarship recipients has already commenced their studies at various universities in Pakistan.
Professor Yunus lauded the educational initiative, expressing optimism that academic, cultural, and personal exchanges between the two countries would increase in the near future.