Islamabad:
Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday signed a number of agreements aimed at improving cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchange, which marked a significant step forward in the effort to reset the relations after years of frosty ties when Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar sought to move beyond the luggage in 1971.
Dar, who is on a landmark visit to Dhaka, the first of a Pakistani Foreign Minister of 13 years, held a number of high -level meetings with Bangladesh’s top leadership and political figures.
The Foreign Minister held talks with Bangladesh’s main adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Policy Counsel Touhid Hossain and met the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ameer.
In addition, DAR also met members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), a student-based political party that played a role in Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s government last August.
The Government of the Awami League government led to the approximation between Pakistan and Bangladesh and DAR’s visit reflected the latest push from both sides to improve their ties.
The two countries signed six agreements and the agreement morandum (Mous) aimed at improving cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchange.
The signed agreements included a compliance with abolishing visa requirements for diplomats and government officials, a Mou between the two countries’ Academy of Foreign Service, a medias collaboration between Associated Press of Pakistan (App) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and Mous between think tanks from both sides. A joint working group on trade and a cultural exchange program (2025–2028) was also completed.
Dar, who met chief adviser Yunus, conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s greetings and expressed Pakistan’s obligation to strengthen bilateral ties. Both sides discussed trade, financial cooperation, youth exchanges and regional security. Dar thanked the Bangladeshi government for the “warm hospitality and excellent events” during his stay.
Pakistan also launched a “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor”, which offers 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students over the next five years, including a special allocation in medicine. Educational programs for 100 Bangladeshi officials will also be offered. In addition, the number of scholarships under the Pakistan Technical Assistance program is raised from five to 25.
He called for GDP chairman Begum Khaleda Zia to her residence and expanded good wishes for her improvement and remembered her visit to Pakistan in 2006. He also visited the residence of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who is recovering from heart surgery and rumored his contributions in politics, education and Social Varelie.
The engagements emphasize Islamabad’s push to put ties with dhaka on a new foothold. “Our future is light and we have to work together to improve our people.”
In a speech with journalists after the meeting with Dar, Bangladesh Foreign Political Advisor said he raised the unresolved questions between the two countries.
“We have raised unresolved questions such as an apology or expression of regret for 1971, claims of assets and the question of stranded Pakistani citizens (with DAR),” Hossain told journalists after conversations with DAR. It would be wrong to expect problems of 54 years in a single day, he added.
However, Foreign Minister Dar said that the “unresolved questions” from 1971 between Pakistan and Bangladesh had already been settled twice, both in writing and verbally.
When journalists were asked about “unresolved questions” between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Dar replied: “As for unresolved questions, this case was first decided in writing in 1974 and this historical document is available to both countries.”
“Later, General Musharraf came hit and approached this matter in a very open and explicit way,” he added. He said, “In my opinion, when this case has been settled between brothers, Islam also instructs us to keep our hearts clean. Therefore, we should move on and work together because our future is light.”
“That’s why, in line with our Islamic doctrine, the Qur’an and Sunnah, we must keep our hearts clean and move on. We are a family and we have to work together to do the best for the population of both countries.”
Dar added: “My brother Touhid and our entire team will work together to achieve the best possible results. That’s the deal and that’s what we do.”
Dar also said that “the future of both countries is very light” and “We have to work together to do the best for the population of both nations.”
Dar nevertheless described his commitment to Dhaka as excellent and insisted that both sides had complete consensus. “There was no disagreement about any case, which is a very positive sign,” he emphasized. “We work together to take financial and trade conditions between our two countries to new heights,” he said.
