Dhaka, 25 August 2025

On the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, paid an official visit to Dhaka on 23–24 August 2025. This marked the first visit of a Pakistani Foreign Minister to Bangladesh in 13 years.

During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Dar called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. He also held delegation-level talks with Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md. Touhid Hossain, met with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin in the presence of senior Bangladeshi officials, and engaged with representatives from several political parties including the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party (NCP).

Strengthening Bilateral and Regional Cooperation

At his meeting with Chief Adviser Yunus, the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade, youth-to-youth exchanges, enhancing educational and cultural cooperation, and revitalizing SAARC. Conveying greetings from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Dar noted: “Our Prime Minister sends you his best wishes.” Professor Yunus warmly reciprocated and stressed that SAARC remains a top priority for both Dhaka and Islamabad, remarking: “Every time Prime Minister Sharif and I met, we spoke about SAARC. Our visions are aligned.”

Both leaders highlighted opportunities for trade and connectivity. Deputy Prime Minister Dar stated: “Our two economies are complementary. There are many areas where we can work together.” He praised Professor Yunus’s global contributions to poverty alleviation, calling him “a leader who inspires the world.” Professor Yunus, in turn, emphasized the importance of people-to-people ties, especially among youth, and pointed to cultural exchanges as a bridge: “When Pakistani singers perform in Bangladesh, everyone appreciates their talent. That is the spirit we must build upon.”

Deputy Prime Minister Dar further announced efforts to enhance connectivity between the two countries, including new shipping and air travel links. He confirmed that Fly Jinnah is expected to launch direct flights by October, while PIA will follow once its privatization is complete.

Agreements and Initiatives

The visit saw the signing of key agreements and MoUs, including:

1. Agreement on Visa Abolition for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
2. MoU on Establishment of Joint Working Group on Trade
3. MoU between ISSI (Islamabad) and BIISS (Dhaka)
4. MoU between the Foreign Service Academies of Pakistan and Bangladesh
5. MoU between Associated Press of Pakistan and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
6. Cultural Exchange Programme

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Dar launched the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, offering 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students for higher studies in Pakistan over the next five years, as well as training for 100 Bangladeshi civil servants. Scholarships under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program will also be increased from 5 to 25.

Shared Resolve

The delegation-level talks reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, covering trade, investment, education, capacity building, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, humanitarian issues, and sports. Regional and international developments, including the Rohingya crisis, the situation in Gaza, and rejuvenation of SAARC, were also discussed. Both sides underscored the need for regular institutional dialogue, early finalisation of pending agreements, and building on cultural and sporting ties such as cricket exchanges and artistic performances.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar also conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to assist in the rehabilitation of Bangladeshi students injured in last year’s protests.

Cordial Engagements

Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar also interacted with Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khalida Zia, and Ameer, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rehman. As both leaders are convalescing after serious indisposition, he conveyed his best wishes for their early recovery, sound health, and well-being.

In all his engagements, Deputy Prime Minister Dar expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to forge a forward-looking, brotherly relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Both sides voiced optimism that enhanced trade, deepened cultural exchange, and revitalized regional cooperation would contribute to a more stable and prosperous South Asia.