Pakistan foreign secretary due on May 5
UNB, Dhaka
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Reaz H Khokar comes to Dhaka on May 5 to hold talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Shamser Mobin Chowdhury on bilateral, regional and international issues.This is an annual secretary-level consultation between Dhaka and Islamabad when the two sides are expected to discuss bilateral trade and commerce, particularly free trade, on May 5. The two-way trade that amounts for USD 130 million is in favour of Pakistan whose annual exports were worth around USD 94 million while Bangladesh's about USD 36 million according to the latest figures. Dhaka and Islamabad are also engaged in negotiations aimed at striking an agreement on Free Trade Area (FTA). Among the bilateral issues, the longstanding question of repatriation of nearly 300,000 stranded Pakistanis still languishing in refugee camps remained unresolved despite repeated assurances from Pakistan. The two foreign secretaries are also likely to discuss Bangladesh's candidature for the post of OIC secretary general. Pakistan has already extended its full support to Bangladesh's candidate, Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury. Foreign Secretary Khokhar will call on Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan. He is also expected to make a courtesy call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on May 6. He will hold a pre-departure press conference on May 6.
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