BD high commission compound ready for inauguration

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has built a prestigious compound of its high commission in the Diplomatic Enclave.

The compound is situated in south of the enclave under the lap of lush green Margalla hills and adjacent to Saudi Arabia’s mission compound.

Highly placed diplomatic sources told The News/Jang on Sunday that a high-level visit from Bangladesh will take place next month to participate in the inaugural ceremonies of the compound.

The shifting process in new compound is almost complete.

It is likely that an important minister of Bangladesh leading the delegation will come to perform the ceremony.

Interestingly, the Indian high commission, also situated in the Diplomatic Enclave, was inaugurated by former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajapiee, when he was Minister of External Affairs (MEA) way back in 1978.

The sources said a piece of land for the high commission was gifted by the Nawaz Sharif government when Khalida Zia was the prime minister of Bangladesh.

The Foreign Office of Pakistan and relevant departments extended the required assistance to the high commission for construction of compound in Sector G-5 (Diplomatic Enclave) of Islamabad, where 44 embassies/high commissions of different countries are already housed.

It’s a secure zone for which a special police unit was created.

The area isn’t accessible to the public without a permit.

Bangladesh high commissioner for Pakistan Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan told this reporter that dignitaries from the host country would be invited for the inauguration.

The high commission started its functioning in F-6-3 sector near the prestigious Islamabad Kohsar Market, which is viewed as a posh area of the federal capital.