(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (KUNA) -- Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday discussed revival of old connections between the two countries during a meeting between visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.
According to the Pakistan Foreign Office, the discussion covered revival of old connections between the two countries, promoting youth linkages, enhancing connectivity, and augmenting trade and economic cooperation.
The recent developments in the region and the prospects of regional cooperation were also discussed.
Ishaq Dar conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's greetings for the Chief Adviser.
He apprised the Chief Adviser of his engagements in Dhaka and the key outcomes of his visit.
He also thanked the Chief Adviser for the excellent visit arrangements and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the course of visit.
Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also met with Chairperson Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia, at her residence in Dhaka.
In view of Begum Zia's prolonged indisposition, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his best wishes for her speedy recovery and well-being.
He also conveyed her greetings from the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and lauded her services for Bangladesh as Prime Minister of the country.
The memories of Begum Khaleda Zia's visit to Pakistan in 2006 were also recalled, said the Foreign Office.
During his visit, the visiting Pakistani dignitary also called on the head of the religious political party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.
According to the Foreign Office, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his own behalf, he conveyed best wishes for the good health and well-being of Dr. Rahman.
He also appreciated his life-long positive contribution in the fields of politics, education and social welfare. Coinciding with the visit of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh, Islamabad has announced the launching of "Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor."
According to the Foreign Office, the project envisages grant of 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students for pursuing higher studies in Pakistan during the next five years.
The Deputy Prime Minister concluded his landmark visit to Bangladesh on the government's invitation where he met the country's top leadership including political stakeholders comprising the leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party.
At the delegation-level talks between the Deputy PM and the Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh, the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, cooperation on education and capacity building, humanitarian issues, and sports.
Earlier, Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across different sectors to enhance bilateral relations.
This was the first state visit by a foreign minister to Bangladesh in the last 13 years as the countries have a history of splitting the lands in 1971 and rocky relations. (Pickup previous)
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