DHAKA, Bangladesh: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka on Saturday and discussed regional developments and prospects for strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.
The Jamaat-e-Islami delegation was led by Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, Naib Ameer of the party. The meeting was part of Ishaq Dar’s interaction with different political stakeholders during his visit to Bangladesh, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated in a press release.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and recent developments in the region, the Foreign Office statement added.
The Deputy PM lauded the courage and steadfastness of the Jamaat leaders and activists in the face of hardships and difficulties.
Earlier, Ishaq Dar arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday, beginning the first official visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Dhaka in 13 years.
“The visit is a significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations as a Pakistani Foreign Minister is visiting Bangladesh after a gap of around 13 years,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement.
The Deputy Prime Minister will hold important meetings with Bangladeshi leaders during his time in Dhaka.
Ishaq Dar’s visit, from August 23 to August 24, comes in response to the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and will see the Pakistani dignitary meeting the country’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain.
Upon landing, Deputy PM Dar was received at the airport by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam alongside Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider and other senior Bangladeshi officials.
Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, reached Dhaka on an official visit. He was received at the airport by Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, along side Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr. Imran… pic.twitter.com/96oZ2Hhi9c
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 23, 2025
“The whole range of bilateral relations and a number of regional and international issues will be discussed during these meetings,” the Foreign Office added.
The Deputy PM is the most senior Pakistani official to visit Dhaka since 2012, with Islamabad calling it a “significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations”.
During his visit, the two countries are expected to sign several agreements including on trade on Sunday (tomorrow).
The Deputy Prime Minister’s visit comes against the backdrop of warming ties between Islamabad and Dhaka ever since the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina — who fled to India — after a mass student-led uprising.
Since then, Pakistan and Bangladesh began sea trade last year, expanding government-to-government commerce in February. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also held several interactions with Bangladesh’s Yunus.
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan held talks Thursday in Dhaka, where he agreed to set up joint commissions to boost trade and investment.
A day earlier, top military commanders from both nations also met in Pakistan.
Last month, Islamabad and Dhaka reached a major diplomatic breakthrough by agreeing in principle to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The agreement came during a high-level meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh’s Home Minister Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury in Dhaka.
Earlier in April, Pakistan and Bangladesh welcomed the launch of direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong and underscored the need to resume direct air links.
The development came during the 6th round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations (FSLC) held in Dhaka on April 17. Both sides also expressed satisfaction over the progress made in easing travel and visa facilitation.
The talks, commencing after a hiatus of 15 years, were led by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Amna Baloch and Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin, and were held in a cordial atmosphere and reflected a shared resolve to revitalise bilateral engagement, the statement mentioned.
As part of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s interaction with different political stakeholders , Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, held a meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The delegation was led by Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, Naib… pic.twitter.com/bI9hUedtnr
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 23, 2025
Analysts say neighbouring India, which fought a four-day conflict with Pakistan in May, will be watching closely.
Dhaka-New Delhi relations
Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi turned icy in August 2024 after a mass uprising in Bangladesh ended the autocratic rule of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, prompting her to flee to India.
“Bangladesh had been one of India’s closest partners in its neighbourhood, and now it is flirting with India’s chief adversary,” said Michael Kugelman, a US-based analyst, according to AFP.
Pakistan and Bangladesh began sea trade last year, expanding government-to-government commerce in February.
Islamabad’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan held talks Thursday in Dhaka, where he agreed to set up joint commissions to boost trade and investment.
On Friday, top military commanders from both nations met in Pakistan.
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus, is furious that India took Hasina in — where she remains and continues to refuse to attend her trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity.
“The toppling of Hasina was a strategic setback for India, and the improved relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan are a consequence of her ouster”, said Thomas Kean of the International Crisis Group.
Dhaka accused India this month of backing Hasina’s now-outlawed Awami League party, charges that New Delhi rejected, saying it “does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out” from its soil.
