KEY POINTS
- Islamabad and Dhaka are set to establish sister city relations
- Chairman CDA and Bangladesh High Commissioner discuss the MoU and future collaboration
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to formalise a sister city partnership between their capitals, Islamabad and Dhaka, in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic, cultural, and urban cooperation, officials said on Monday.
The development was announced by the Islamabad development authority following a meeting between Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan at the CDA Headquarters on Monday.
Strengthening cultural bonds
Chairman Randhawa emphasized the historical, brotherly relations between the two nations and underlined the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in urban development, culture, and environmental initiatives.
“Pakistan holds its brotherly country, Bangladesh, in high esteem,” he said, assuring full CDA support in formalizing the sister city partnership.
Sustainable development and green initiatives
The meeting focused on progress regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing sister city relations between the capitals of the two South Asian nations.
High Commissioner Khan praised Islamabad’s beauty and the city’s recent development strides, expressing keen interest in collaborative initiatives, especially in the areas of sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure.
The Bangladeshi envoy also welcomed the opportunity to participate in Islamabad’s ongoing tree plantation campaign, showcasing growing enthusiasm for joint environmental efforts.
Chairman Randhawa briefed the High Commissioner on several ongoing development projects in Islamabad, including infrastructure upgrades, eco-friendly initiatives, and monsoon preparedness efforts.
Bilateral ties
This renewed urban partnership comes against the backdrop of a broader diplomatic warming in 2025 between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
On August 16, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties during his meeting with High Commissioner Khan.
The minister emphasized expanding collaboration in politics, trade, and cultural domains, particularly in media, film, and digital content.
“Media cooperation is not just policy, it’s a pathway to bring our people closer,” Tarar stated, stressing the role of cultural exchange in building regional harmony.
Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa Meets Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan to Discuss Sister City Relations and Bilateral Cooperation
Islamabad: Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Muhammad Ali Randhawa, met with Bangladesh High… pic.twitter.com/E8ZXVanMf5
— Capital Development Authority – CDA, Islamabad (@CDAthecapital) August 18, 2025
Reconnection and progress
The revival of Foreign Office Consultations earlier this year -after a 15-year pause – was a turning point in the diplomatic reset.
High-level engagements followed, including meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, as well as defence and trade breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, strategic cooperation on counterterrorism, visa-free access for diplomats, and new trade agreements further solidified ties.
