ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar has arrived in Dhaka Saturday on a two-day landmark official visit (23–24 August 2025), marking the first state visit of a foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh had extended an invitation of visit to DPM/FM, the FO statement added. The visit is a significant milestone in “Pakistan-Bangladesh relations as a Pakistani Foreign Minister is visiting Bangladesh after a gap of around 13 years,” the statement remarked.
At Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the DPM Dar was warmly 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.
During the visit, the FO spokesperson further said the deputy prime minister 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, the spokeswoman remarked.
Meanwhile, DPM/FM held extensive discussions during his important meetings with key political parties of Bangladesh.
As part of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s interaction with different political stakeholders, Senator Dar, held a meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The delegation was led by Naib Ameer, Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher. 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. He also received a delegation of National Citizens Party (NCP) led by Akhtar Hossain. During the discussion, DPM/FM appreciated the NCP leadership’s vision for reform and social justice. He emphasised 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.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025