Dhaka Hosts Bangladesh-Pakistan Bilateral Talks to Strengthen Ties

A bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain and Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar began on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The two leaders held a brief one-to-one discussion before leading their delegations in a formal meeting.

Accompanied by Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Dar is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus later today and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the evening. Diplomatic sources said the talks will cover all aspects of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues.

Foreign ministry officials confirmed that Bangladesh and Pakistan will sign five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on visa-free entry for diplomatic and official passport holders, a joint working group on trade and commerce, cooperation between Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha and Associated Press of Pakistan, and collaboration between their foreign service academies. One agreement and these MoUs will aim to boost ties in trade, culture, media, training, and travel.

In July, Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Dhaka, following a foreign secretary-level consultation on April 17, 2025. The last foreign ministerial visit was in November 2012, when Hina Rabbani invited then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the D-8 summit in Islamabad. Relations strained in 2013 after Pakistan condemned the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Mollah for 1971 Liberation War crimes.

Efforts to mend ties resumed after Bangladesh’s political change last year. Bilateral trade reached $865 million in FY 2024–25, with Bangladesh’s exports to Pakistan at $78 million (up 20%) and Pakistan’s exports up 28%. Direct shipping began last August, alongside relaxed visa and trade policies. Direct Dhaka–Karachi flights are in preparation, with Fly Jinnah and Air Sial seeking approvals, and Biman Bangladesh considering applications to Pakistan’s authorities.

A Pakistani business delegation, led by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Atif Ikram Sheikh, visited Dhaka in January after a 12-year gap. Foreign ministry officials said the stalled Joint Economic Commission meeting is planned for September or October, with Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb possibly visiting Dhaka.