Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday welcomed the growing interactions between Bangladesh and Pakistan; and emphasised the importance of increased visits, as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges among SAARC member states.

He highlighted the need for boosting Bangladesh-Pakistan trade and hoped that both countries would find new opportunities for investment and joint ventures during Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider’s tenure.

The Chief Adviser made the remarks when Imran Haider paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the State Guest House in Dhaka.

During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation, as well as scaling up cultural, educational and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

The Pakistani High Commissioner pointed out that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 percent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities.

He also highlighted a significant increase in cultural exchanges, adding that Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Haider said Pakistan has witnessed a rise in patients traveling to its leading hospitals for liver and kidney transplants, and noted that Pakistan is ready to offer training and academic opportunities in transplantation-related medical fields.

The Pakistan High Commissioner said that Dhaka-Karachi direct flights are expected to start in January.

SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.