The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Visiting former President of Pakistan and Leader of the House of Pakistan Senate Wasim Sajjad called on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban here on Sunday.

Welcoming the Pakistan Senate leader, the President said Bangladesh always attaches high priority to relations with her South Asian neighbours including Pakistan.

The President expressed satisfaction at the present bilateral relations between the two countries who share similar cultural, social and economical experiences.

Professor Iajuddin observed that there are ample scope and opportunities for increasing bilateral relations between the two countries and boosting business and trade through eradicating existing trade barriers.

He also underscored the need for expanding people-to-people contact between the two countries.

He expressed his satisfaction at the successful holding of the recent general and provincials elections in Pakistan and hoped that this would usher a new dawn of stability in Pakistan and strengthen democratic system in the region.

Professor Iajuddin apprised Wasim Sajjad about the current political state in Bangladesh and said the Election Commission has been working according to roadmap to hold free, fair and neutral polls by December this year.

He also invited the former Pakistan President to visit Bangladesh as an observer during the next general elections in Bangladesh.

He thanked the government of Pakistan for extending cooperation in exploring the option of importing rice from Pakistan and timely support the Bangladesh's Sidr-hit people through providing relief materials and establishing a field hospital.

Wasim Sajjad briefed Dr Iajuddin about the recent general and provincial elections in Pakistan and said the election was accepted by the people of Pakistan and international community, which is a great achievement for democracy in Pakistan as well as in the region.

He is was very much hopeful that Bangladesh is going to hold a fair and acceptable elections according to roadmap declared by the Election Commission of Bangladesh.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alamgir Babar were present during the meeting. Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present.