ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan is keen to strengthen trade and people-to-people contacts with Bangladesh.
He was talking to the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported. He expressed satisfaction over the growing engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh across various domains.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of sustaining this momentum to advance their relationship. He highlighted the need to further enhance cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres.
Acknowledging the shared commitment of both nations’ leadership to deepen bilateral ties, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh briefed the Prime Minister on ongoing efforts aimed at improving travel, trade, and connectivity.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the historic bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Dhaka on August 23 to discuss ways to strengthen ties with the Bangladeshi leadership.
Dar will meet Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on August 24, in addition to his other engagements.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, in July 2025, reached an agreement to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports from each country.
The agreement, seen as a significant breakthrough in bilateral relations, was finalised during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and Bangladesh’s Home Minister, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
In April, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch visited Dhaka for Foreign Office Consultations — the first such engagement in 15 years.
Earlier, in March, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
In February, the two countries commenced direct government-to-government trade for the first time in decades, beginning with the import of 50,000 tonnes of rice — a symbolic step towards restoring economic cooperation.
