DPM Dar, Bangladesh’s chief adviser discuss ‘revival of old connections’

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Sunday.

The high-level meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation between the two countries.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics including revival of old connections, promoting youth linkages, improving connectivity, and augmenting trade and economic cooperation. The leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in the region and the prospects for future regional collaboration, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The deputy prime minister conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the chief adviser and briefed him on his engagements in Dhaka and the key outcomes of his visit.

DPM Dar also expressed his gratitude for the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in Bangladesh.

The meeting marks a significant step towards reinforcing the historical bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistan, Bangladesh sign six MoUs

Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed six Memorandums of Understanding across different sectors to enhance bilateral relations.

The signing ceremony was held in Dhaka on Sunday, overseen by DPM Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.

The signings include, agreement on Visa Abolition for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders, MoU on Joint Working Group on Trade, MoU between Foreign Service Academies, MoU between Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, MoU between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, and Cultural Exchange Programme.

These agreements will institutionalise and further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in trade and economies, training of diplomats, academic exchanges, media cooperation and cultural exchanges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X.

Dar stresses stronger Pak-Bangladesh youth engagement

The development has come on the second day of Dar’s visit to Dhaka, which is the first time a Pakistani foreign minister is visiting Bangladesh in 13 years.

Dar arrived in to Bangladesh on Saturday as the two brotherly nations seek to rebuild ties with regional power balances shifting.

FM Dar is the most senior Pakistani official to visit Dhaka since 2012, with Islamabad calling it a “significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations”.

Pakistan and Bangladesh began sea trade last year, expanding government-to-government commerce in February.

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.

After 1971, Bangladesh leaned heavily on India, which almost encircles the country of 170 million people.

But 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.

Dar, Bangladesh’s foreign adviser discuss regional, international matters

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to further strengthen their bilateral relations across various sectors.

This understanding was reached during a meeting between FM Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Hossain in Dhaka on Sunday.

The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties, including high-level exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and humanitarian issues.

Additionally, they discussed regional and international matters, such as revitalising SAARC, and addressing the Palestine and Rohingya crises.

Jam Kamal, Bangladesh advisor discuss trade ties

The foreign adviser of Bangladesh also hosted a luncheon in honour of FM Dar.

Dar also held a meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rehman and conveyed good wishes for his good health on behalf of PM Shehbaz and himself.

The JI ameer is recovering from a cardiac surgery.

Islamabad to launch ‘Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor’

Coinciding with the visit of DPM Dar to Bangladesh, Islamabad has announced to launch “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor.“

According to the FO, the project envisages grant of 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students for pursuing higher studies in Pakistan during the next five years.

A quarter of these scholarships will be awarded in the field of medicine. Additionally, trainings for 100 Bangladeshi civil servants will be arranged during the same period.

Pakistan has also decided to increase the scholarships allocated to Bangladeshi students under Pakistan Technical Assistance Program from five to twenty-five.