Bangladesh Religious Affairs Adviser Meets Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, Announces 500 Scholarships for Pakistani Students

Lahore– Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif held a meeting in Lahore with Dr. Khalid Hussain, Adviser on Religious Affairs to the Government of Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Pakistan, M.D. Iqbal Hussain Khan, also attended the meeting.

During the talks, Bangladesh announced 500 new scholarships for Pakistani students. Nawaz Sharif welcomed the gesture, noting that Pakistanis “continue to hold deep affection for their Bangladeshi brothers” and recalling the heroism of M.M. Alam, who remains celebrated in Pakistan. He added that now is the right time to strengthen bilateral ties, praising Bangladesh’s rapid economic progress.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz lauded Bangladesh’s achievements in garments, microfinance, and women’s empowerment, emphasizing that Pakistan and Bangladesh share a bond that goes beyond borders. She underscored the need to boost trade and direct people-to-people exchanges, while also expressing Punjab’s readiness to partner with Bangladesh in green energy, flood management, and agricultural sustainability.

“Pakistan-Bangladesh friendship should transform into a lasting partnership for peace and prosperity in the region,” Maryam Nawaz said.

High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan described Nawaz Sharif as a hero in the eyes of the Bangladeshi people for conducting Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998, adding that “Nawaz Sharif still lives in the hearts of the Bangladeshi nation.” He also expressed admiration for Maryam Nawaz’s public service.

Adviser Dr. Khalid Hussain praised the Sharif family’s contributions, saying their services for Pakistan will be written in “golden words,” and stressed Dhaka’s desire to enhance cooperation with Islamabad at every level.