Pak-Bangladesh Ties Thaw: Ishaq Dar Leads Landmark Visit to Dhaka
Dhaka — In the most significant gesture in over a decade, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, embarked on a historic two-day visit to Bangladesh—his first since 2012—to rejuvenate bilateral relations and foster deeper regional cooperation.
A New Phase in Bilateral Engagement
During his visit, Dar met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, where they explored avenues to revive historical links, promote youth engagement, enhance connectivity, and boost trade and economic partnerships. He also conveyed warm greetings from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by Bangladeshi leaders.
Institutionalizing Cooperation Through MoUs
In a series of delegation-level discussions with Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, both nations signed six pivotal agreements to formalize joint efforts across several sectors:
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Visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders
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Joint Working Group on Trade
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Collaboration between respective Foreign Service Academies
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Media partnership between state news agencies
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Strategic research cooperation
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A Cultural Exchange Programme
These MoUs aim to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, diplomacy, academia, media, and cultural exchanges.
Education, Scholarships & Knowledge Exchange
In a transformative step, Pakistan launched the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, offering 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students over the next five years—25% of which are dedicated to medicine—and training programs for 100 civil servants. Pakistan also expanded its Technical Assistance Program scholarships from five to twenty-five slots.
Expanding Trade, Youth, and Political Outreach
Dar held a strategic breakfast meeting with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin and officials from finance, trade, customs, tourism, and aviation sectors to fuel economic collaboration and improve connectivity.
He also engaged with political parties—including the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—to reinforce momentum toward cooperation, particularly among youth and reform-minded groups.
Regional Diplomacy & Reinvigorating SAARC
Dar called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He emphasized that South Asia—home to nearly a quarter of the global population—cannot lag in regional integration. He pointed to common concerns such as climate change and security threats as shared priorities for both nations.
He also touched upon regional crises like Palestine and the Rohingya issue, underlining the need for united diplomatic responses.
A Milestone in Diplomacy
Observers view Dar’s trip as a defining moment after years of strained ties following Bangladesh’s political transition and the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina. His visit, in response to an invitation from Dhaka, signals a renewed momentum in bilateral diplomacy.
In his remarks, Dar highlighted shared cultural heritage and fraternity between the two nations, expressing Pakistan’s strong intent to pursue a cooperative and future-oriented partnership.
Why This Matters
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Dar’s visit restores high-level dialogue after a long diplomatic hiatus, focusing on economic ties, institutional cooperation, and educational opportunities.
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The visit yields tangible outcomes like MoUs and scholarships, linking youth, media, and cultural institutions across borders.
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The renewed push for regional cooperation via SAARC reflects both countries’ interest in stronger South Asian integration.