Karachi, 15 March 2023:

A group of Journalists in Pakistan meet with the Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi S. M. Mahbubul Alam on 15 March 2023 at the Chancery. President of Pakistan Association of Press (PAP) Photographers Mr. Syed Abbass Mehdi, Secretary General of Pakistan Association of Press (PAP) Photographers Mr. Muhammad Jamil, Senior News Reporter of Azz TV and the Daily Times Mr. Sanjay Math, Senior News Reporter of Pakistan Television (PTV) Mr. Muhammad Zubair Uddin, PTV and Alebar-e-Jehan Anchor Ms. Mona Khan, City Editor of Express Urdu Mr. Muzaffar Jillani, and Senior News Reporter of the Daily Dunia News Mr. Mazhar Ali Rana were present in the group of Journalists.   

During the meeting, the Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul Alam briefed the renowned journalists of different print and electronic media of Pakistan that Bangladesh has been developing in all the socio-economic indicators. He mentioned that Bangladesh has a very vibrant media. Bangladesh is a secular democratic country with traditional inclusive society. Rights of all from all strata of the society are well protected in Bangladesh. The media has been growing very fast in Bangladesh. He said that the media has been enjoying freedom of expression. The freedom of press in Bangladesh is guaranteed by the national constitution of the country.

Deputy High Commissioner further said that the number of Private TV Channels, electronic media, print newspapers, magazine, and publications has increased tremendously in the recent decades. The emergence of satellite television and the spread of internet in Bangladesh in last one and a half decades have changed the media landscape in Bangladesh. The media has been playing a vital role in the society.

Deputy High Commissioner also highlighted the success stories of socio-economic progress in Bangladesh and mentioned that Bangladesh has become a ‘Role Model’ of socio-economic development in the world. The per capita income of Bangladesh is currently US2824 and Bangladesh is currently among the five fastest growing economies in the world, ranking 35^th in terms of GDP. He also mentioned that in Bangladesh current primary enrollment rate is around 100%. He added in 1971 literacy rate in Bangladesh was only 18 percent, which is currently around 80%. Bangladesh is also a success story in women empowerment. He shared with them all the mega projects (completed and on-going). He mentioned that Bangladesh has constructed 6.15 Kilometers Padma Bridge with a cost of over US$3.8 billion from her own source, which is a pride and symbol of confidence of Bangladesh. He further added that Bangladesh has already achieved ‘Vision 2021’ and is striving hard to achieve “Vision 2041” to become a higher middle-income country by 2031 and developed country by 2041. Bangladesh will be a trillion dollar economy and the 9^th largest market in 2040.

Deputy High Commissioner requested the eminent journalists in Pakistan to publish more articles on Bangladesh’s achievements and success stories. The journalists were highly impressed by the success stories of Bangladesh and sincerely appreciated the impressive success stories of Bangladesh. They assured the Deputy High Commissioner that they would work with the Mission and would be happy to publish the bright, positive and encouraging success stories of Bangladesh, which the common people of their country are interested to know.