State minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Saturday met with visiting Pakistani interior and narcotics control minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and discussed various issues of bilateral interest.

During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement and cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The two ministers met at a hotel in Dhaka, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting they noted the recent momentum in bilateral engagements and shared their desire to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

They agreed that there remains significant untapped potential for broadening and deepening cooperation in areas including trade and commerce, sports, culture, women entrepreneurship, education, science and technology and digital innovation and underscored the importance of enhanced people-to-people contacts and greater institutional collaboration.

The state minister also reiterated the Bangladesh Government’s commitment to revitalising the SAARC as an important platform for regional collaboration and prosperity.

 Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening regional cooperation for the collective benefit of the peoples of South Asia.