ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance cooperation at the municipal level, with both sides also moving forward on a proposal to establish sister-city relations between Islamabad and Dhaka.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf and Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Hussain at the CDA headquarters on Saturday.
According to a press release, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest and explored avenues for expanding cooperation between the Federal capital and the Bangladeshi capital.
During the meeting, the Bangladeshi envoy praised Islamabad’s beauty and greenery and thanked the CDA for facilitating the construction of the Bangladesh High Commission complex in the Diplomatic Enclave. He said the project was nearing completion and appreciated the authority’s support throughout the process.
The high commissioner said Pakistan and Bangladesh were working to strengthen people-to-people contacts and expand cooperation in trade and other sectors. He added that ties between the two countries had witnessed positive momentum in recent months.
A key focus of the discussion was a proposal to declare Islamabad and Dhaka sister cities.
Hussain said a draft memorandum of understanding for the initiative had already been prepared and forwarded to the relevant authorities for approval, expressing hope that it would be signed soon.
The CDA Chairman, Sohail Ashraf, said the civic authority would extend all possible support for the completion of the Bangladesh High Commission complex and other development projects in the Diplomatic Enclave. He also informed the envoy that plans were under way to upgrade infrastructure and public facilities within the enclave, including beautification measures, improved sports facilities and the development of a clubhouse.
Referring to recent exchanges between the two countries, the Bangladeshi envoy noted that Pakistan had hosted a group of Bangladeshi civil servants for training, during which they visited different cities and interacted with senior officials.
Ashraf said such exchanges would help strengthen cultural, educational and municipal-level cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding cooperation and strengthening ties between the two capitals, the press release added.
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