By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD (AA) - The leaders of Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed on Thursday to expand and deepen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in various sectors including trade.
The agreement came during a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the 11th D-8 summit in Cairo, Egypt.
Premier Sharif highlighted the "historical, religious and cultural linkages" between the two countries and expressed his country's desire to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges, according to a statement by his office.
He praised Dhaka's recent actions for facilitation of trade and travel between Pakistan and Bangladesh. This includes waiving off the condition of 100% physical inspection of the consignments from Pakistan and abolishment of special security desk at the Dhaka airport established to scrutinize Pakistani passengers.
Sharif also thanked Bangladesh for removing additional clearance requirement for Pakistani visa applicants.
Yunus, a Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer, became the interim leader of Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina fled the country following a popular uprising against her in August.
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1971. Bilateral relations remained frosty throughout the 15-year rule of the deposed premier, but the change of guard in Dhaka rekindled hopes for the potential normalization.