ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said Thursday that its diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh remains ongoing despite remarks made by former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son during an address aired from India, reiterating its policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
The comments came a day after Hasina, who has been living in self-imposed exile in India since fleeing Bangladesh during the 2024 uprising, and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy spoke at a virtual event in New Delhi.
During the event, Joy made remarks about Pakistan, including allegations involving the country's intelligence agency, while Bangladesh and India remain at odds over Dhaka's efforts to extradite Hasina.
Bangladesh foreign office renewed its extradition request for the former prime minister and criticized India for allowing the event, while New Delhi said it was privately organized and did not represent the government's position.
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said relations between the two countries were not limited by a single event during the weekly press briefing.
He said communication through official diplomatic channels in Islamabad and Dhaka was continuing.
"Our diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh continues and is not defined or limited by any single event," Andrabi told Pakistan TV Digital during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
"The relationship between the two countries remains active through normal diplomatic channels in Dhaka and Islamabad."
Asked whether Pakistan had engaged with Bangladesh following the remarks made during the event, Andrabi said Islamabad was aware of the developments but would not comment.
"We do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan had no comment on developments related to the address.
He added that the fact the statements were made from India was "a matter between Bangladesh and India."
Pakistan said the people of Bangladesh were capable of resolving their issues independently and that Islamabad respected Bangladesh's sovereign choices.
"The people of Bangladesh are fully capable of resolving their issues independently without external interference," Andrabi said.
He added that Pakistan would continue to cooperate with Bangladesh in its pursuit of progress and prosperity.
