Both leaders commit to strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, education, social welfare, people-to-people contacts
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets with Bangladesh’s Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain. PHOTO: FO
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).
Dr. Hossain was visiting Pakistan to attend the 9th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women being held in Islamabad.
Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare of Bangladesh called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 yesterday evening.
Bidder Dr. Hossain Welcome to Pakistan for 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women… pic.twitter.com/6Y8dLZKOe2
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 14, 2026
Welcoming the Bangladeshi minister, Dar appreciated Bangladesh’s participation in the conference and reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to promote cooperation on women’s empowerment within the framework of the OIC and beyond,” according to the FO.
Recalling his visit to Dhaka last August, Dar also reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations” and stressed “its readiness to expand cooperation across various areas of mutual interest”.
The two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, education, social welfare and people-to-people contacts, the FO said.
The Ninth Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday adopted the Islamabad Declaration, reaffirming the commitment of member states to the social, economic and political empowerment of women and girls, while launching a new initiative to promote digital inclusion for women across the Muslim world.
Read: OIC confab adopts Islamabad Declaration
According to the Islamabad Declaration, which is available on the OIC’s official website, ministers and heads of delegation pledged to further strengthen policies and institutional mechanisms to ensure the effective and meaningful participation of women in political, economic and public life.
The declaration urged member states to remove barriers to women’s education and employment, expand access to quality education, technical and vocational training and opportunities for leadership development, and promote women’s economic stability by improving access to jobs, financial resources, entrepreneurial support and social protection systems.
It also emphasized the need to promote inclusive financial systems, including Islamic finance, microfinance and digital financial services, while recommending improved access to capital, innovation and trade opportunities for women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The statement described women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies as critical.
