Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for Dhaka on Saturday on a landmark two-day official visit, the first by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years. The Foreign Office hailed the trip as a “significant milestone,” underscoring a notable warming of relations between the two countries following a period of diplomatic distance. This visit builds on a recent thaw that began after a political shift in Bangladesh last year, which has since led to improved trade and bilateral engagement.
During his historic visit, Dar is scheduled to hold crucial meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain. The discussions are expected to cover the full range of bilateral relations and exchange views on key regional and international issues. The dialogue aims to solidify the foundation for a more robust and multi-faceted partnership.
The visit is set to yield concrete outcomes, with the signing of four to five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) anticipated. These agreements are designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in vital sectors such as trade, culture, media, training, and travel. This move institutionalizes the recent positive momentum, which has already seen the commencement of direct government-to-government trade and approvals for new flight routes.
This high-level diplomatic engagement follows a series of preparatory visits by other Pakistani ministers, including those for Commerce and Interior, which have successfully paved the way for enhanced cooperation. The recent agreement to grant visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports exemplifies the growing trust and commitment to fostering closer ties, marking a definitive step towards a new era of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.
