Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh in Dhaka on August 24, 2025 (PID)
Dhaka, August 25, 2025 – In a landmark step towards
revitalizing ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, concluded a highly successful
two-day visit to Dhaka on August 23-24, 2025.
The visit, the first foreign minister level bilateral
engagement in 13 years, culminated in the signing of six agreements and
memoranda of understanding (MoUs), marking a new chapter in the relationship
between the two South Asian nations.
Hailed as a “historic milestone” by Islamabad, the visit
underscores a mutual commitment to deepen economic, cultural, and political
cooperation amid evolving regional dynamics.
Dar’s visit, warmly received by Bangladeshi officials,
included high-level meetings with key figures, including Bangladesh’s interim
leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid
Hossain. These discussions focused on resetting ties strained by historical and
political differences, with both sides expressing optimism about a future of
collaboration.
The agreements signed during the visit cover critical areas
such as trade, economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, media collaboration,
visa-free travel for diplomatic and official passport holders, and partnerships
between foreign service academies, strategic studies institutions, and state
news agencies.
The trade and economic agreements are particularly
significant, building on recent progress in bilateral commerce. Earlier this
year, Pakistan and Bangladesh launched sea trade routes and expanded
government-to-government trade mechanisms, moves that have already boosted
economic ties.
Plans for direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi were also
discussed, with both sides keen to facilitate greater people-to-people contact
and business exchanges. These steps are expected to enhance trade volumes,
which have historically lagged due to political tensions, and position both
nations to capitalize on their strategic locations in South Asia.
Cultural and media cooperation agreements aim to foster
mutual understanding and bridge historical divides. By promoting exchanges in
art, literature, and education, the two countries hope to rebuild trust and
create a foundation for long-term collaboration. The MoU on media
collaboration, involving state news agencies, will enable the sharing of
information and narratives to counter misinformation and promote a positive
image of bilateral relations.
Additionally, the agreement on visa-free travel for
diplomatic and official passport holders is expected to streamline high-level
interactions, paving the way for more frequent engagements.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, which is
navigating a transitional phase under an interim government following political
upheaval. Pakistan’s outreach signals its intent to engage constructively with
the new administration in Dhaka, aligning with broader regional efforts to
foster stability and cooperation.
Analysts view the visit as a pragmatic move by both nations
to prioritize economic and diplomatic gains over historical grievances, with
potential implications for South Asian geopolitics.
In a joint press statement, Dar and Hossain emphasized the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in overcoming past challenges.
“This visit marks the beginning of a new era of friendship and partnership,” Dar said, echoing sentiments of goodwill expressed by Yunus. The agreements signed during the visit lay a robust framework for sustained collaboration, with both sides committing to follow-up mechanisms to ensure implementation.
As Pakistan and Bangladesh embark on this renewed
partnership, the international community is watching closely, hopeful that the
momentum generated by Dar’s visit will translate into tangible outcomes for
both nations and the broader region.
A great sidekick was the meeting of Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar with Chairperson, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Begum Khaleda Zia, at her residence.
In view of Begum Zia’s prolonged indisposition, the DPM/FM expressed his best wishes for her speedy recovery and well-being.
He also conveyed to Begum Sahibah the greetings from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He lauded her services to Bangladesh as Prime Minister of the country. The memories of Begum sahiba’s visit to Pakistan in 2006 were also recalled.
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