She expressed the hope when outgoing Pakistani High Commissioner Iqbal Ahmed Khan made a farewell call on her at her office yesterday.

The prime minister thanked the envoy for his role during his four-year tenure in Dhaka in improving the relations between the two countries.

The envoy hoped that Prime Minister Khaleda Zia would soon pay a bilateral visit to Pakistan, saying that people of his country "are eagerly waiting to accord her a warm reception".

Reiterating Pakistan's support to Bangladesh's candidature for OIC secretary general, he hoped that the other OIC members would also extend their support to the Bangladeshi candidate.

"There is a scope for the two countries to work closely to strengthen the Muslim Ummah and we would utilise the opportunity," Khan was quoted as saying.

He also hoped that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia would meet in Kuala Lumpur in the forthcoming OIC Summit.

He thanked the prime minister for her government's cooperation in discharging his duties here. His next assignment is in Iran.

Mentioning two important events during his tenure: free and fair general elections in October 2001 and Pakistani president's visit to Dhaka last year, the envoy said he spent best of time in his career in Bangladesh.

He appreciated Bangladeshi people's pleasant and amicable behaviour and said all the sweet memories would remain in his "heart forever".

The prime minister conveyed her best wishes to the Pakistani president and the prime minister through the envoy.

Khan's wife accompanied him during the farewell call.