Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (25 October 2021) said South Asian nations should work to eliminate the curse of hunger, poverty and illiteracy and for the well-being of the people in the region. She said this while Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Ahmed Siddiqui paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence here.
After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the newsmen. The prime minister said the cardinal principle of Bangladesh’s foreign policy, enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is “Friendship to all, malice to none”. During the meeting, High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui said Pakistan is keen to promote relations with Bangladesh.
The high commissioner presented an original copy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s message of goodwill and friendship to Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Hasina reciprocated her good wishes for the leadership and people of Pakistan. The High Commissioner thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister for her support in implementing his diplomatic mandate in Bangladesh.
The two sides agreed to further promote bilateral relations between the two countries. High commissioner also presented a photo album, photo of the painting and video footage of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visit to Pakistan in 1974 to attend the (Organisation of Islamic Countries) summit; videos of his engagements in Pakistan during the summit; a photograph of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait in Lahore Museum, as well as Bangla version of a coffee table book “Alla’ma bil Qalam” containing calligraph-art rendered by Pakistani artists. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked Pakistan high commissioner for handing over the historic souvenir related to the memories of Bangabandhu.
The meeting which lasted for 45 minutes was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
The prime minister also appreciated the publication of a calligraphy book in Bangla by Pakistan on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present.