RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Bangladesh is facing massive burden of over a million refugees entering from Myanmar border and the international community should come forward to resolve this issue.

This was stated by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh while speaking at an event organized by the English Speaking Union of Pakistan at a local hotel on Friday.

He said over 400,000 refugees from Myanmar had entered Bangladesh only during recent days. The total number of refugees has crossed the one million mark that is a big challenge for Bangladesh he said adding that the international community should put their pressure on Myanmar government for resolution of this issue. The international community should also provide support to Bangladesh for sustainable return of these refugees.

He pointed out that a number of countries are supporting Rohingya Muslims but have failed to offer a resolution on the platform of the United Nations because of the reservations of some permanent members. “A special session of the General Assembly should be called to discuss and resolve this issue,” he suggested.

Bangladesh is playing its due role for peace and development under the charter of the United Nations.

He said Pakistan and Bangladesh have similar views on many international issues but there is need to improve understanding to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

President ESU Aziz Memon in his welcome speech said that Bangladesh is an important country in the region. He said Bangladesh is the number one crop inventing country, second cloth exporting country, 3rd biggest jute producing, 4th rice producing, 4th fish producing, 7th potato producing and 7th mango producing country in the world. The forex reserves of the Bangladesh are over $32 billion.

Bangladesh is seventh largest trade partner of Pakistan. Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh are over USD600 million while imports from Bangladesh are around USD65 million. It means the bilateral trade between the two countries is totally in favor of Pakistan.

Secretary General ESU Majid Aziz and Vice President Kaleem Farooqui also spoke on this occasion.