Pakistan-Bangladesh to Cooperate in Combating Terrorism
By ABM Nafeezur Rehman 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

DHAKA (Bangladesh): Speakers at a seminar held here Wednesday noted that Bangladesh and Pakistan could jointly play an effective role in combating terrorism and promoting regional peace through mutual cooperation and understanding.

At the inaugural session of a 2-day seminar held at a local hotel here, speakers were of the view there in no alternative to combined role of Bangladesh and Pakistan in promoting regional stability and cooperation for better future of the region.

Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University (DU) inaugurated the seminar as chief guest while High Commissioner of Pakistan in Bangladesh Alamgir Babar addressed it as special guest.

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hussain addressed it as security and strategic analysts. Editor of ‘Probe’ Ayesha Kabir and Irtaja Nasim Ali, chief editor of ‘Probe’ presented introductory note.

In his inaugural address the VC of DU Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz emphasised on effective Bangladesh and Pakistan cooperation to enhancing regional peace and stability.

Referring to the disputes that deter meaningful cooperation in the region, the DU VC said, there are matters in South Asian politics that have continued to vitiate inter-state relations for over 30-60 years.

“Kashmir for instance, remains a contentious issue and hurdle in transforming qualitatively the relations between India and Pakistan,” he added.

He said, “There are forces and lobbies within and beyond borders that tend to benefit from non-resolutions and a conflict-prone environment, albeit at a substantial cost to the lives and well-being of the common masses.”

Pointing to the regional scenario, he said, the two countries (Bangladesh and Pakistan) need to work together and the need for regional stability and cooperation cannot be overemphasised.

VC SMA Faiz said Bangladesh and Pakistan can “play a broad role to facilitate and catalyze the process of promoting cooperation in various areas and assist the fellow nations of the region to come together for mutual benefits.”

He urged the younger generation to work together with utmost sincerity to build regional cooperation on a firmer ground.

In his address as special guest Alamgir Babar said, Bangladesh and Pakistan have “much to learn from each other and as a result, much to gain from each other trough cooperative ventures.” “There are many positive and encouraging trends in our relationship,” the Pakistan High Commissioner said.

He said, Bangladesh and Pakistan hold similar views on most international and regional issues. Both the countries are partners of OIC, SARRC, D-8 AND ASEAN forum.

Pointing to Bangladesh and Pakistan economic cooperation he said, the two sides agreed to set up a target of US $ one billion for two-way bilateral trade at the meeting of Joint Economic Commission held one and a half year ago.

He said, both the countries agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to identify measures to further strengthen economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

He noted that Pakistani investment in Bangladesh has reached $90 million. “A number of investment proposals are in the pipeline”.

Referring to Pakistan’s cooperation in other fields, the High Commissioner said 18 fully-funded scholarships were provided to Bangladeshi students in the areas of medicine and engineering.

“As part of our support to the education sector in Bangladesh, we have established four fully equipped computer lab centres in different educational institutions,” he added.

“In the health sector, we provided several ambulances and a variety of medical equipment to a number of charitable medical institutions and hospitals,” the Pakistani envoy said and assured, “These programmes will continue this year.”

He said, Bangladesh and Pakistan “relationship is moving to a new direction to the mutual benefit of our people.” “We have a very special relationship that is deep-rooted and broad-based,” he said and added, “ The fact that our new generation is reaching out to each other is reflective of the promise that they see in each other.”

Brig. Gen. Sakhawat Hussain said 500 million Muslims live in the subcontinent. “This community cannot be crushed by any power.

Muslims should work together to face their adversaries,” he added.

After the inaugural session, Prof. Mooins Ahmar of Karachi University speaking as Guest Speaker on National Security and Regional Stability, noted a number of issues that need close relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Faheem Uddin, Lecturer International Relations Department of Khulna University of Bangladesh, presented the keynote of this session.●