DHAKA, Bangladesh: Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday signed six agreements to strengthen cooperation in diplomacy, trade, media, academia, and culture, in what officials described as a significant step forward in bilateral relations.
The agreements were inked in Dhaka during talks between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Advisor for Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, six agreements have been signed between the two countries. These include an agreement on visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on collaboration between the foreign service academies of Pakistan and Bangladesh. An MoU has also been signed to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade.
Another MoU has been finalised on cooperation between the national news agencies, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). An MoU has also been signed between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. In addition, both sides have agreed on a Cultural Exchange Programme, according to the Foreign Office.
“These agreements will institutionalise and further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, training of diplomats, academic exchanges, media cooperation and cultural exchanges,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Following delegation level talks in Dhaka today, the DPM/FM @MIshaqDar50 and Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh oversaw signing of six instruments between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their list includes Agreement between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Visa Abolition for Diplomatic and… pic.twitter.com/jFzKj00s6G
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
First high-level visit in over a decade
Deputy Prime Minister Dar’s visit to Dhaka marks the first visit by a senior Pakistani official to Bangladesh in 13 years, with Islamabad calling it a “significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.” The last foreign minister to visit Dhaka was Hina Rabbani Khar in 2012.
Dar’s arrival comes against the backdrop of improving ties between the two countries following the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whose 15-year rule was marked by strained relations with Islamabad.
Hasina has since fled to India and faces demands from Dhaka’s interim government for extradition.
‘Full spectrum’ of relations
During talks, Deputy PM Dar and Bangladesh’s Hossain reviewed the “full spectrum” of relations, including trade, economic cooperation, educational exchanges, and cultural collaboration, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated.
Regional and international issues were also discussed, with particular attention to the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Palestinian issue, and the plight of Rohingya refugees.
“The talks took place in a constructive atmosphere, reflecting goodwill and cordiality between the two countries,” the FO said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, held wide-ranging talks with the Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh, H.E. Md. Touhid Hossain in Dhaka. Both sides reviewed entire gamut of bilateral relations, including high level exchanges , trade… pic.twitter.com/nqELdHhbjU
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
Following the meeting, Hossain hosted a lunch in honour of Deputy PM Dar.
Focus on trade and investment
On Sunday morning, Dar, accompanied by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, held a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh’s Advisor for Commerce Sk. Bashir Uddin.
Senior Bangladeshi officials, including the Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, senior revenue and trade officials, and investment authorities, also attended, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated.
The talks focused on ways to boost economic and commercial cooperation, with emphasis on expanding trade, promoting connectivity, and simplifying regulatory mechanisms.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 had a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh Adviser for Commerce Sk. Bashir Uddin. Minister of Commerce Jam Khamal Khan also joined the meeting. The Adviser Commerce was accompanied by
Chowdhury Ashik… pic.twitter.com/4JObXtxVAb— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
Separately, on Saturday, Dar attended a reception hosted by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, where he emphasised Pakistan’s “fraternal sentiments” for the people of Bangladesh and stressed the importance of building a cooperative and forward-looking partnership.
Knowledge corridor and scholarships
Coinciding with Dar’s visit, Islamabad launched the “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor,” which will provide 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students over the next five years.
A quarter of these scholarships will be reserved for medical studies, while training will also be offered to 100 Bangladeshi civil servants.
In addition, Pakistan has decided to expand the number of scholarships under its Technical Assistance Programme from five to 25 annually.
Coinciding with the visit of DPM/FM @MIshaqDar50 to Bangladesh, Pakistan is pleased to launch “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor.” The project envisages grant of 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students for pursuing higher studies in Pakistan during the next five years. A…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
Political and defence engagement
In recent months, Pakistan and Bangladesh have intensified not only economic but also political and defence engagements.
In January, Lt-Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, visited Islamabad in what was seen as a rare military engagement. His visit marked the first by a top Bangladeshi general to Pakistan in many years.
Officials in both capitals have downplayed concerns in India over warming Pakistan-Bangladesh ties, insisting that the renewed relationship is based on mutual benefit rather than regional rivalries.
