ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Bangladesh have stepped up efforts to boost economic and trade relations with renewed resolve of fighting poverty in the two south Asian Muslim nations.
Both Islamabad and Dhaka have stepped up efforts to boost their relations which soared in 2013 after Lower House of Pakistan parliament adopted a resolution condemning the execution of Abdul Quader Molla as a political victimisation.
Following Pakistan's reaction, Bangladesh summoned the Pakistani envoy, conveying its displeasure at Pakistan's interference in its internal matters.
Bangladesh conveyed its displeasure at the statements of National Assembly, Punjab Assembly, as well as the remarks by Pakistan's interior minister.
Protesters in Bangladesh took to streets to express their displeasure by marching towards the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.
However, Dhaka and Islamabad managed to salvage their relations through damage control efforts and resolved to take their relations to the level of 90s when Pakistan and Bangladesh had excellent bilateral ties. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh grew to near one billion dollars but it nosedived following strains in relations.
Islamabad equally had concerns about Dhaka for hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who publically admitted that India had hatched up a conspiracy to dismember Pakistan in 1971.
This further plunged the relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh and as immediate fallout their trade fell to $340 million in 2014 from $983 million in 2010-2011. As part of the renewed initiative, both the sides are trying to reset their bilateral relations.
Former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Farooq Sobhan on Monday called on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to official sources, Fatimi told Farooq Sobhan while emphasising the need for enhanced relations between the two countries said that improved relations among the countries of the region will enhance economic development and prosperity.
He was of the view that it is imperative for the countries of the region to face emerging challenges and threats.
Farooq Sobhan welcomed the efforts of the government of Pakistan for maintaining peace and stability in the region.