Pakistan PM meets Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus on UNGA sidelines

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections, reforms introduced by the Interim Government, the recent devastating floods in Pakistan, trade and investment, and prospects for regional cooperation. Chief Adviser Yunus expressed his profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences over the recent floods in Pakistan, which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people.

Prime Minister Sharif attributed the increasing frequency and intensity of such disasters to the worsening impacts of climate change. Professor Yunus shared that Bangladesh is on course to hold its general election in February and expressed hope that the major political reforms proposed by 11 national commissions would lead to meaningful political transformation.

He noted that talks between the National Consensus Commission and political parties are in their final stages, and parties are expected to sign a “July Charter” encompassing key constitutional and political reforms. “These reforms are aimed at preventing the rise of another autocrat in Bangladesh,” Professor Yunus said. With SAARC largely inactive in recent years, the two leaders also discussed alternative avenues to enhance regional cooperation. Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to Chief Adviser Yunus to visit Pakistan before the conclusion of the Interim Government’s tenure. The meeting was also attended by National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Miah, and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.