Pakistan's High Commission (HC) in Bangladesh will have its own building with the provision of residential facilities for the staff of the embassy. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz laid the foundation stone of permanent chancery building of Pakistan's High Commission in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh during his recent two-day visit.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone at a simple ceremony at Baridhara diplomatic enclave by unveiling the plaque.
Ambassadors and High Commissioners of foreign missions in Dhaka, officials of Pakistan High Commission, including High Commissioner Manzar Shafique were also present on this occasion.
The construction works of the chancery building-cum residence of the High Commissioner of Pakistan will be started soon.
A spokesman of the High Commissioner (HC) told newsmen that the building of the High Commission will be constructed on 16,000 square yards.
He said that according to an understanding reached in 1992, Pakistan would allot 25,000 square yards of land to Bangladesh in Islamabad for constructing its own chancery, while Bangladesh allotted 16,000 square yards of land to Pakistan at Baridhara in Dhaka to establish its chancery.
The plot reserved for Pakistan's High Commissioner is the largest plot that Bangladesh ever allotted to any other country, a diplomat of Pakistan's High Commissioner said.
Bangladesh handed over the plot and all the related documents to Pakistan's High Commission in July, 2003.
Meanwhile, intellectuals and media persons while commenting on the recent visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Bangladesh said the tour will further improve the existing warm relations between the two friendly countries. They hoped the visit will bring the two countries more closer.
Former Vice Chancellor Dhaka University (DU)), Professor Eamduddin Ahmed, Professor of the Department of Political Science (DU), Dr Talukdar Monirruzzaman, Professor Dr Mahbubullah of Chittagong University (CU), Editor of Daily Ajker Khabar Blayet Hossain, Barrister Abdur Pazzak of Bangladesh Supreme Court commenting on the visit of Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan is time-tested friend of Bangladesh.
They said Pakistan came forward with its helping hands whenever Bangladesh faced any natural calamity.
They said the two countries share common faith, history and culture, with common adversaries.
Both the countries favour peaceful resolution of all the regional and international disputes, including Kashmir, they said.
They added the current visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister to Bangladesh will cement the relations further.
Appreciating the proposal of Saarc Poverty Alleviation Fund. suggested by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and accepted by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, these intellectuals were of the view that such type of co-operation would improve the living standard of the people in the region.
They said both Pakistan and Bangladesh should enhance not only economic co-operation but also political understanding, which is very essential to thwart the ulterior designs of common foes.