Pakistan FM likely to visit Dhaka in April: Adviser Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said that there was no reason to maintain strained relations with Pakistan, as he disclosed that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to visit Dhaka in April.

“We are assuming that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister will visit. However, the exact date has not been finalised yet. But I don’t think it (visit) will be before April,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the foreign ministry on Thursday afternoon.

He added, “Both sides are working on it (regarding the visit). There is still time, and we will make some decisions in the meantime.”

When asked whether Dhaka would raise the issue of Pakistan’s apology for its role in 1971 and compensation for Bangladesh, Hossain acknowledged that unresolved issues between the two countries remain even after 53 years and said these matters would be brought up during discussions.

However, he said, “If we remain fixated on those issues, neither side will benefit. We will, of course, try to protect and recover our interests, but at the same time, we want to view our relations with Pakistan as we would with any other country. We do not want to perceive our relationship with them negatively.”

Hossain emphasised that Dhaka views Pakistan as a South Asian nation with which both countries share mutual interests.