ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told Bangladeshi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam on Sunday that Pakistan offered “vast opportunities for investment”, as both countries agreed to expand cooperation in trade and business sectors.
Naqvi, currently on an official visit to Bangladesh, met Islam in Dhaka where the two sides held detailed discussions on bilateral relations, the regional situation and Pakistan’s role in promoting reconciliation and peace, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Interior.
The statement said the Bangladeshi minister appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.
Pakistan has been actively involved in mediation efforts since the conflict began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Islamabad also hosted the first round of direct talks between Washington and Tehran in April.
According to the interior ministry, both sides agreed during the meeting to enhance cooperation in trade, business and cultural sectors while increasing the exchange of delegations to strengthen economic and cultural ties.
The statement added that discussions were also held regarding the expected visit of Bangladesh’s foreign minister to Pakistan.
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.
The development comes a day after Naqvi signed an anti-narcotics memorandum of understanding with Bangladeshi Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and offered Pakistan’s cooperation for Bangladesh’s Safe City Project.
Relations between Islamabad and Dhaka have improved significantly since the removal of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, under whose government ties between the two countries had remained strained.