On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh, extending his congratulations to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who was sworn in as the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday.
Yunus’s appointment followed intense student-led protests that led to the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier in the week. The unrest resulted in the tragic loss of over 400 lives, predominantly young students.
In his message on X, Sharif, 72, warmly congratulated Yunus, 84, writing: “Heartiest felicitations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his swearing-in as Chief Adviser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Wishing him great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future. I look forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead.”
Yunus, who had recently been in Paris for medical treatment, returned to Bangladesh to assume his new role, following support from student protesters who endorsed him for overseeing the transition until new elections are held. Known as the “banker to the poor,” Yunus won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his innovative work in microfinance, providing small loans to impoverished individuals.
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh were established in December 1975.
Currently, Bangladesh stands as Pakistan’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with annual bilateral trade reaching approximately $800 to $900 million.
Additionally, Pakistan is home to a significant Bengali community. The two countries share a common history and faith, fostering strong people-to-people ties characterized by mutual respect and goodwill.
Both nations have formal mechanisms for dialogue, including Bilateral Political Consultations and the Joint Economic Commission, and collaborate on various multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
