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KARACHI, Dec 16 (APP):Speakers at a seminar hosted by the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) on Tuesday emphasized the need to rebuild and strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations through enhanced economic cooperation, educational exchanges, cultural linkages and improved connectivity between the two countries.
The seminar, titled “The Future of Pakistan–Bangladesh Relations,” was held at the PIIA Library and featured Dr Moonis Ahmar, Professor of International Relations and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Karachi; Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Executive Director of the Centre for Alternatives, Dhaka, who joined online; and Dr Masuma Hassan, Chairperson of PIIA.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Moonis Ahmar reviewed the political history of Bangladesh and the evolution of bilateral ties with Pakistan. He said that strengthening relations was both necessary and possible.
Dr Ahmar stressed the importance of augmenting commercial ties and reviving the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission to give fresh momentum to bilateral trade.
He also highlighted the need to restore educational cooperation, pointing out that while Pakistan had offered hundreds of scholarships to Bangladeshi students, there was no reciprocal scholarship programme from Bangladesh. Expanding cultural cooperation was equally important, he said, citing the popularity of qawwali in Bangladesh and the strong cultural resonance of artists like the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Dr Ahmar further proposed direct air links between major cities of both countries, suggesting flights not only between Islamabad and Dhaka but also from Karachi and Lahore to Dhaka to improve people-to-people contact.
He also called for the opening of consulates in Lahore and Chittagong and recommended visa-on-arrival facilities for tourists from both sides.
Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, in his remarks, said political willingness to improve ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh was not new and had existed at different points in history. He suggested that a reconciliation commission could be a constructive way forward.
On the economic front, he emphasized that momentum was key, noting that bilateral trade currently stood at around one billion dollars. He argued that vibrant economic relations could be developed even without deep political convergence and highlighted Bangladesh’s significant economic transformation since 1971.
Dr Masuma Hassan, Chairperson PIIA, said December 16 was observed every year to remember the fall of Dhaka, describing it as a tragic chapter in the country’s history. She added that the nation should also remember the December 16 APS Peshawar attack, another painful tragedy.