Photo: PID
Two weeks ago, Pakistan announced a new visa policy under which citizens of 126 countries, including Bangladesh, can travel to Pakistan without a visa, according to Ahmad Maroof, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
On Monday, September 2nd, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ahmad Maroof, paid a courtesy call to the Office of the Adviser on Home Affairs, Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.), at the Secretariat. During the meeting, the High Commissioner shared this information.
During the meeting, various issues of mutual interest were discussed, including flood rehabilitation, improving bilateral relations, visa facilitation, the introduction of direct flights, and cooperation in agricultural research.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Adviser welcomed the Ambassador. He informed the Ambassador about the recent floods in southeastern Bangladesh, to which the Ambassador assured that Pakistan would provide assistance to the flood victims.
The High Commissioner noted that the recent anti-discrimination student movement in Bangladesh had an impact in Pakistan, with many Pakistani citizens celebrating by waving Bangladeshi flags.
When asked about the major challenges facing the current government, the Adviser mentioned that controlling corruption and stabilizing commodity prices are the government's biggest challenges. Both agreed that Pakistan is facing similar challenges.
The Ambassador called for strengthening bilateral relations, overcoming the dryness observed over the past 15 years. Both sides agreed on simplifying mutual visa processes. The Ambassador mentioned that two weeks ago, Pakistan announced a new visa policy that allows citizens of 126 countries, including Bangladesh, to travel to Pakistan without a visa.
He emphasized the importance of resuming direct flights between the two countries to promote mutual relations and business interests.
He noted that the last direct flight between the two countries was in 2018, operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
During the meeting, they also discussed enhancing cooperation in combating human trafficking, countering terrorism, and agricultural research.
Present at the meeting were Kamran Dhangaal and Zain Aziz, counselors from the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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