Parliament:  The government is not yet thinking of severing its diplomatic ties with Pakistan, says Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

‘We’re observing the whole situation. Time is very important here. We don’t want to do anything right now (cut ties with Pakistan). But, future will say what direction the relations will go to,’ he told Parliament on Tuesday while replying to a supplementary question from the treasury bench.

Awami League lawmaker Abdul Mannan (Bogra-1) came up with a question whether Bangladesh will permanently cut diplomatic relations with Pakistan following the latter’s unnecessary repeated interventions in the internal affairs of Bangladesh.

In response, Mahmood Ali said, ‘It’s not like that diplomatic ties have to be severed if there is any tension. Even there were many instances of maintaining diplomatic ties in wartimes in the world.’  

But the national interest, he said, will always have to be kept in mind in case of maintaining or severing any diplomatic relation.

Considering the national interest, Bangladesh always evaluates international relations and takes steps based on evaluation, he said adding, ‘It’s also applicable for Pakistan as well.’  

Earlier in the day, the government summoned Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Shuja Alam to inquire about the missing and subsequent return of a staff member of Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad.

Acting Foreign Secretary and Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshed Alam summoned the envoy at about 1:00pm on Tuesday. Secretary (Bilateral and Consular) Mizanur Rahman was also present at the meeting held at the Foreign Ministry.  

Bangladesh-Pakistan relations have suffered a blow after Pakistan’s ‘brazen interference’ in Bangladesh's internal affairs over the execution of two top war criminals in November last year.  

There have been incidents of ‘retaliation’ by Pakistan when its diplomat Fareena Arshad had to leave Dhaka on 23 December amid an allegation that she was involved in ‘terror financing’. Dhaka then had to shift former Counselor-Political at the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Moushumi Rahman to Lisbon at the request of Islamabad.