Pak-Bangladesh agrees to enhance ties in all fields of life

ISLAMABAD: The fifth round of Pakistan-Bangladesh Bilateral Consultations held in Islamabad here on Monday in which Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Bangladesh delegation by Foreign Secretary M. Mijarul Quayes.During the three hour-long discussion, including lunch hosted by the.Foreign Secretary in honour of the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, the two sides hold a detailed overview of the bilateral relations including political, economic, trade, defense, cultural, educational, and consular issues.The two Foreign Secretaries agreed to give fresh impetus to promoting bilateral relations and for a comprehensive partnership in all spheres of life.Both agreed to initiate substantive preparatory work for leadership-level visits and intensify consultation and coordination on all issues. They agreed to holding of the next meeting of the Joint Economic Commission and bi-annual consultations at the senior officials’ level.Both sides agreed to redouble efforts to promote trade and investments including joint ventures, and cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, science & technology, education and culture.It was also decided to initiate cooperation in counter terrorism, counter narcotics and illicit drug trafficking as well as take steps to facilitate visas and enhance connectivity by direct shipping and more air links.Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoy close fraternal relations and have identical interests in regional cooperation under SAARC and promoting peace, stability and security in the region and world.The next round of Bilateral Consultations will be held in Dhaka in 2011. The dates will be decided through diplomatic channels – Sananews