Islamabad, 5 Aug 2025: As Bangladesh marks one year since regime change today, Pakistan is keen on developing relations with Dhaka on economic and other fronts.
This was evident from Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Jam
Kamal Khan meeting with the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Iqbal
Hussain Khan, to explore deeper bilateral cooperation in trade, energy,
logistics, and industrial linkages on Monday.
"Through focused collaboration in energy, logistics and
food security, Pakistan and Bangladesh can develop a transformative economic
partnership that benefits our entire region,” Jam Kamal said while emphasizing
the strategic potential of the relationship during the meeting.
The discussions focused on Bangladesh's growing industrial
needs, particularly for Pakistani coal and limestone to support its power
generation and soda ash production.
Key points of discussion included boosting agricultural trade, particularly
Pakistan's imports of pineapples from Bangladesh and potential exports of
mangos, pending final technical approvals.
The discussions also explored opportunities in textiles, mineral exports like
high-quality limestone from Sindh, and Halal-certified meat products, with both
sides committing to address logistical challenges and streamline business visa
processes to facilitate smoother trade exchanges.
Apart from the people of Bangladesh being able to get rid of
a tyrant government last year this time, another major blessing for Pakistan
has been the thaw in the country’s relations.
The previous regime of Shiekh Hasina Wajid had maintained a
cautious distance, but the new Bengladeshi leadership recognized the importance
of fostering ties with Pakistan, both for economic growth and regional
stability.
In a statement issued on July Uprising Day, Prof Muhammad Yunus
said, “July rekindled our hope — a hope for a just, equal, and corruption-free
Bangladesh.” He urged all citizens to protect the hard-won gains of the
movement and resist any effort by former autocrats or their allies to undermine
national progress.
Bangladeshi newspaper Dhaka Tribune in a report said Pakistan’s
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to arrive in
Dhaka on August 23 to discuss ways to strengthen coordination with Bangladesh.
Ishaq Dar will have a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh
counterpart, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, on August 24 in
addition to his other engagements.
Adviser Hossain confirmed this on Monday afternoon, adding
that further details will be shared later.
His previous scheduled visit to Bangladesh in April was
postponed amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India following a
deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. But Pakistan’s foreign secretary did
go ahead with the visit.
Later, the two sides finalized a new date through mutual
consultations.
The newspaper said Bangladesh saw willingness from the
Pakistan side to remain engaged on those issues as the talks began between
Dhaka and Islamabad after 15 years.
The two countries foreign minister have already met four
times since October 2024. The last meeting was held on the sidelines of the
International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations. Both
expressed the hope for meaningful outcomes from the conference.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has been to Dhaka
as well where the two sides agreed in principle on visa-free entry for official
and diplomatic staff members.
Academic Collaboration
As the year progressed, educational ties also flourished. A
delegation of Bangladeshi university vice-chancellors visited Pakistan, where
they explored collaboration opportunities in research and student exchange
programs. Both countries recognized the importance of education in shaping
future generations. Students began to travel between the two nations, fostering
friendships and cultural understanding.
A former Bangladeshi bureaucrat Ziauddin Choudhury wrote
about his visit to Pakistan’s four cities in December last year and had good
things to say. He said: My visit to Pakistan provided valuable insights into
the country's socio-political landscape and its relationship with Bangladesh.
“The interactions I had with a wide range of individuals revealed a nuanced and multifaceted picture of Pakistan, characterized by challenges but also opportunities for growth and cooperation. The positive attitude towards Bangladesh and the desire for mutual collaboration bode well for the future of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. It is my hope that these interactions will contribute to a deeper understanding and a stronger partnership between our two nations,” Ziauddin said who has worked in the higher civil service of Bangladesh early in his career, and later for the World Bank in the US.
Defence Cooperation
The two countries are in the process of restoring their
military to military contacts. Recent developments indicate that Dhaka, which previously
had been reliant on India on defence, is now actively seeking to diversify its partners
in the region.
News
reports suggest that Bangladesh could be planning to acquire 32
JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan. The fighter jets are currently
operational with the Pakistan Air Force, and have also been exported to several
states. Dhaka’s acquisition of the fighter jets comes as a part of Bangladesh’s
‘Forces Goal 2030’ military modernization program. However, this is not
expected to be taken easily by big neighbour India.
The year of reconciliation between Pakistan and Bangladesh has
set a precedent, demonstrating that with sincere efforts, even the most
challenging relationships could be transformed. The journey was just beginning,
but it was a hopeful one—one marked by dialogue, respect, and a shared vision
for a brighter future together.
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