New York, Sep 25 (V7N) – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Bangladesh’s Principal Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly sidelines in New York.

During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues including Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections, the interim government’s reform agenda, Pakistan’s recent devastating floods, trade and investment opportunities, and the future of regional cooperation.

Professor Yunus expressed profound grief and condolences for the loss of more than 1,000 lives in Pakistan’s floods. Prime Minister Sharif, in turn, underscored that the growing frequency and severity of such disasters are a direct consequence of climate change.

On Bangladesh’s political roadmap, Dr. Yunus said the national elections will take place in February, with hopes that the 11 reform commissions will guide the country toward “meaningful political transformation.” He added that dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties was nearing completion, and that the upcoming ‘July Charter’ would outline sweeping constitutional and political reforms aimed at preventing the rise of future dictatorships.

Both leaders agreed on the need to explore alternative frameworks for regional cooperation, given the prolonged stagnation of SAARC.

Prime Minister Sharif invited Dr. Yunus to visit Pakistan before the interim government’s term ends.

Also present at the meeting were National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Mia, and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed.

END/SMA/AJ