Pakistan has announced a new visa policy under which citizens of 126 countries including Bangladesh will be able to travel to Pakistan without a visa fee.
Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ahmad Maruf announced this when he paid a courtesy call on Home Affairs Advisor Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the latters’ office on Monday, said an official handout.
He emphasized on resumption of direct flights between the two countries for boosting bilateral trade.
The last direct flight between the two countries was operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in 2018.
Besides, Pakistan laid emphasis on further strengthening bilateral ties with Bangladesh and resuming direct flights between the two countries to boost bilateral trade and business.
During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of bilateral issues like the post-flood rehabilitation program, further improvement of bilateral ties, easing visa process, operation of direct flight between the two countries and cooperation in agricultural research.
At the outset of the meeting, the adviser welcomed the high commissioner and informed him about the recent devastating floods that engulfed in the country’s south-eastern region.
The high commissioner assured the adviser to provide support for the flood victims.
The high commissioner pointed out that during the recent Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Bangladesh had also impacted Pakistan and said that many Pakistani citizens celebrated the student-people victory by flying the Bangladeshi flag.
About the major challenges of the current interim government, the adviser informed him that the biggest challenge of the government is to prevent corruption and control the prices of essentials.
Pakistan calls for revitalizing bilateral relations with BangladeshDuring the meeting, the high commissioner called for strengthening bilateral relations by overcoming dryness in the relations in the last 15 years.
The two sides also agreed on easing the visa issue process between the two countries, reports BSS.
The meeting also discussed about increasing mutual cooperation in the field of prevention of human trafficking, counter-terrorism and agricultural research.
Senior officials of Home Ministry, Counselor of Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka Kamran Dhangal and Zain Aziz were present in the meeting, among others.
