BD stalls new high commissioner’s appointment to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh government has stalled the appointment of Foreign Office officer Iqbal Hussain as the new high commissioner to Pakistan. The incumbent, Roohal Alam Siddiquee, has been asked by Dhaka to continue in Islamabad until further instructions. Iqbal Hussain was designated as the high commissioner to Islamabad by the ousted government of Hasina Wajid, and the host government had already consented to posting of the designated high commissioner.

Diplomatic sources in Islamabad told The News on Thursday that Roohal Alam Siddiquee had completed his tenure in Islamabad and had been transferred back to Dhaka headquarters. However, following the overthrow of Bangladesh government in August this year, the new administration asked the outgoing envoy to continue in Islamabad until fresh instructions were issued. The Foreign Office here has been informed about the Bangladesh government’s decision, according to the sources.

Sources said Roohal Alam Siddiquee, a career diplomat, effectively prevented deterioration in bilateral relations between the two countries during his tenure in Islamabad.

Sources within the Foreign Office also revealed that a recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh leader Dr. Muhammad Yunus, held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) summit in New York, was “productive and useful”. Dr. Yunus has accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, and he will likely undertake the visit soon after agreeing on a schedule through diplomatic channels. This would be his first visit to the region after assuming office, the sources added.

Meantime, Prof Yunus called for the revival of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a top platform for regional cooperation in South Asia.

He made the call when he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif early this week. The highly placed diplomatic sources said that during the meeting, the two leaders underscored the need to revitalise the cooperation between the two countries.

Prof Yunus said reviving SAARC could be a good way to start it and sought Pakistan’s support. Shehbaz Sharif promised his support for the initiative and suggested the countries move step by step in reviving the regional platform.

He said Pakistan and Bangladesh should open a “new page” in their relations to enhance cooperation in various aspects. “It’s very essential we revive our relations,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s interest in investing in Bangladesh’s textile and leather sectors. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus proposed an exchange of youth programs between the two countries. The two countries also discussed renewing foreign secretary-level talks and reactivating the joint commission between the two countries. Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain was also present during the talks.