Karachi: 16 June 2023

Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Karachi addressed the journalists of Sindh Mirpur Khas Press Club on 10 June 2023 at the Press Club. Journalists of different print and electronic media in Sindh were present during the address, meeting and interaction. Mr. Nazeer Ahmed Panhwar, President, Mr. Azhar Kareem Jillani, Vice President, Mr. Atif Baloch, General Secretary, Mr. Shahid Hussain Khaskhelim, Joint Secretary, Mr. Shaikh Ashique Ali, Treasure, Mr. Muhammad Aslam Baloch, Press Secretary, and Journalists of at least 25 media houses including print (daily and weekly) and electronic media were present at the Press conference. Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur Khas Mr. Zain-ul-Abedin Memon was also present at the Press Conference.  

Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul Alam addressed the journalists for about 40 minutes and mentioned that following the recognition of Bangladesh as an Independent and Sovereign State in February 1974 by Pakistan, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Pakistan to attend the OIC Summit in Lahore. Since then Bangladesh and Pakistan have been maintaining friendly relationships. Deputy High Commissioner commented that Bangladesh and Pakistan have huge potential for mutually beneficial bilateral relationships.

The vibrant Media in Mirpur Khas actively interacted with the Deputy High Commissioner. They has huge interest to know more about Bangladesh and Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. Deputy High Commissioner accordingly responded and elaborated on the success stories of Bangladesh and mentioned that under the charismatic and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved huge socio-economic development and become a ‘Role Model’ of socio-economic development in the world. Bangladesh is currently among the five fastest growing economies in the world, ranking 35^th in terms of GDP. He further added that Bangladesh has full filled all the criteria for the graduation to developing country from the LDC status. The present per capita income of Bangladesh is USD2824, which was less than US$100 after independence in 1971. He also mentioned about the mega projects such as Padma Bridge (opened on 25 June 2022), the Metro Rail (opened on 28 December 2022), Bangabandhu Karnaphuli River Tunnel, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Matarbari Deep-Sea Port and Bangabandhu Satellite-1.

Bangladesh Foreign Policy was also focused before the journalists. Deputy High Commissioner mentioned that Bangladesh has been pursuing the foreign policy of “Friendship to all and malice towards none” since her Independence in 1971 as was postulated by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which continues to provide the philosophical underpinning of Bangladesh’s pro-peace foreign policy. Father of the Nation propounded the peace and development-centric foreign policy, which remains the guiding principle of Bangladesh’s diplomatic engagements today. In 1973 Father of the National was awarded the prestigious Julio-Curie Peace Prize.

Deputy High Commissioner mentioned that Bangladesh has very bright mage in the international arena and Bangladesh is the proponent of the resolution of ‘Culture of Peace’ in the UN System. Bangladesh is currently the 1^st in contributing the UN Peacekeepers. Following the foot-steps of the Father of the nation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also pursuing the peace-loving and development centric foreign policy. Bangladesh has provided temporary shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingya of Myanmar nationality, which is an extraordinary example of humanitarian role in the world as a responsible sovereign and peace-loving country. Over 12 million expatriate Bangladeshis have been contributing in image building of Bangladesh through their hard work, commitment, professionalism and patriotism.

Deputy High Commissioner said mentioned that Bangladesh is the largest delta in the world. Bangladesh is a green country which is a production powerhouse. Bangladesh is the 1^st in Jute export, 2^nd in Jute production, 3^rd in Freshwater fish production, 4^th in Rice production, 7^th in Potatoes production. Bangladesh, a country of 170 million population, is a self-sufficient country in food production. Bangladesh is 2^nd in RMG production and export. Over 12 million Bangladesh nationals live in over 180 countries and Bangladesh is 8^th in Remittance receipt amounting over US$25 billion a year. Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserve reached up to US$48billion. Total annual Exports of Bangladesh is over US$55 billion. Bangladesh has been working hard for the annual export of US$100 billion by 2030. He further added that Bangladesh will a trillion dollar Economy and the 9^th largest consumer market in the world by 2041. Government of Bangladesh has been striving hard to implement “Vision-2041” to turn Bangladesh into an upper middle-income country by 2031 and Developed and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 and building a prosperous and climate-resilient delta by 2100.

The journalists of Sindh Mirpur Khas were highly impressed to know about the socio-economic progress in Bangladesh. The deeply appreciated the development journey of Bangladesh and thanked the Deputy High Commissioner for sharing the encouraging stories of development. The Deputy High Commissioner requested them to publish positive and encouraging stories on Bangladesh in their print and electronic media.