First Pakistani FM to visit BD in 13 years, Dar holds key meetings in Dhaka

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday arrived in Dhaka on a landmark official visit from August 23–24, at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

At Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the deputy prime minister/ foreign minister was received by Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Imran Haider, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Muhammad Iqbal Khan and officials of Pakistan High Commission, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

During the visit, the DPM/FM will hold important meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership, including Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain and Adviser for Commerce SK Bashir Uddin.

“Discussions will encompass the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation including regional and international issues of mutual interest,” it was added.

Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with a delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by its Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The deputy prime minister and foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. Regional cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, during which Bangladesh’s foundational role in establishing Saarc was fondly acknowledged. The leaders also reflected on past high-level interactions between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar received a delegation of National Citizen Party (NCP) led by Akhtar Hossain.

During the discussion, DPM/FM appreciated the NCP leadership’s vision for reform and social justice. He emphasized the need for greater interaction between the youth of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

For their part, the delegation members apprised the DPM/FM of different facets of countrywide political mobilisation in 2024. The two sides also discussed possibilities to promote cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead.

Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The delegation was led by Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, Naib Ameer. The interaction was part of DPM’s meetings with different political stakeholders in Bangladesh.

The ways to strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and the recent developments in the region were two key areas of discussion.

The DPM/FM lauded the courage and steadfastness of the Jamaat leaders and activists in the face of hardships and difficulties.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan and Sk Bashir Uddin, Adviser for Commerce, Bangladesh, reached Chittagong for one-day official visit. They were welcomed by the district administration and management of Shah Amanat International Airport.

The visit included meetings with the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), field visit to Bangladeshi ship-breaking industry and Chittagong Port.

During the visit, they interacted with the business community of Chittagong, explored possible avenues of cooperation and discussed logistics of trade between the two countries.

The business community at CCI shared their valuable insights on Pakistan-Bangladesh trade relations. They shared their proposals with regard to resumption of direct flights and frequent direct shipping between the two countries and digitization of trade.

Collaborations in ready-made garments and agricultural sector was also discussed.

The minister and adviser apprised the business community that the Joint Working Group on Trade will be established soon to provide an institutional framework for trade dialogue.

Both the leaders acknowledged the massive potential in trade and investment between the two countries and invited the business community to visit the 3rd International Food and Agricultural Exhibition in Karachi on 25-27 November, 2025.

They also explored the possibility of trilateral cooperation for exporting goods to Africa and Central Asia. Sectors such as healthcare, leather and essential commodities were also discussed. Formulation of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Trade and Investment Road Map was also discussed.

The minister and adviser also visited the Kabir Ship Recycling Facilities. They were briefed about the potential of collaboration between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the ship building, breaking and recycling sectors.

During the visit, the Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority briefed on port’s history, its procedures and ongoing projects. Single window operations and digitization of trade were discussed in depth.