- Prof. Yunus emphasises Bangladesh considers Saarc cooperation and its ties with Pakistan as ‘one of the highest priorities’
- Six agreements signed covering trade, academia, media and cultural exchanges, focus on Saarc revival
- Pakistan launches ‘Knowledge Corridor,’ offering 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students
- Dar holds meetings with BNP’s Khaleda Zia, Jamaat chief Rahman and other political leaders
- Bangladesh, Pakistan eye revival of Joint Economic Commission after two decades
- Additionally, Islamabad will train 100 Bangladeshi civil servants in Pakistan
DHAKA/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh on Sunday agreed to “rekindle fraternal relations,” deepen bilateral and regional cooperation as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, during his landmark two-day visit to Dhaka—the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years.
The meeting centred on revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), enhancing trade, connectivity, and youth linkages, according to statements issued by both governments. Prof. Yunus emphasised that Bangladesh considered Saarc cooperation and its ties with Pakistan as “one of the highest priorities.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister , Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, called on H. E. Professor Muhammad Yunus @ChiefAdviserGoB, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh in Dhaka, today. The discussion covered revival of old connections between the two countries, promoting… pic.twitter.com/2pR6G5q2MO
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
Yunus, who took charge after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August last year, called Saarc cooperation a “high priority,” urging deeper people-to-people linkages, youth exchanges, and enhanced bilateral trade. The Foreign Office termed Dar’s visit a “significant milestone” in Islamabad-Dhaka relations, coming at a time when the two sides are seeking to reset ties after years of strain.
Six accords signed in different spheres
Earlier in the day, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed six agreements and memorandums of understanding following delegation-level talks between Dar and Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. The accords included an agreement on visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders and the establishment of a Joint Working Group on trade. A memorandum was signed between the two countries’ foreign service academies, while the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) inked an MoU to deepen media cooperation.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus Stresses SAARC Revitalization in Meeting with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister
DHAKA, August 25: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad… pic.twitter.com/jaL6zTkqVg
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) August 24, 2025
In the academic sphere, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) agreed to collaborate, while both sides also finalised a cultural exchange programme.
“These agreements will institutionalize and strengthen cooperation in diplomacy, trade, media, academia and culture,” the Foreign Office (FO) said.
Knowledge Corridor & scholarships
Pakistan also launched a “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor”, announcing 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students over the next five years, with 25% reserved for medicine. Additionally, 100 Bangladeshi civil servants will be trained in Pakistan.
Scholarships under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme will also be expanded fivefold.
Political outreach
Dar met Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and ex-PM Begum Khaleda Zia, recalling her 2006 visit to Pakistan, and conveyed Pakistan’s well-wishes. He also called on Jamaat-i-Islami emir Dr Shafiqur Rahman, appreciating his contributions in politics and social welfare.
Meeting with commerce adviser, trade officials
In the morning, Dar and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan had a breakfast meeting with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, who was accompanied by various finance and trade officials, the FO said on X.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, held wide-ranging talks with the Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh, H.E. Md. Touhid Hossain in Dhaka. Both sides reviewed entire gamut of bilateral relations, including high level exchanges , trade… pic.twitter.com/nqELdHhbjU
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
“The two sides discussed ways to promote economic and commercial cooperation, with a special focus on enhancing trade and promoting connectivity,” the post said.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, National Board of Revenue Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission Chairman Moinul Khan joined the meeting as well.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 had a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh Adviser for Commerce Sk. Bashir Uddin. Minister of Commerce Jam Khamal Khan also joined the meeting. The Adviser Commerce was accompanied by
Chowdhury Ashik… pic.twitter.com/4JObXtxVAb— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
Other officials attending the gathering were Textile Ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rauf, Tourism Ministry Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Ministry of Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh Chairman Brigadier Gen Mohammad Faisal Azad and High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan, according to the FO.
Last night, Dar and Kamal attended a reception hosted by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider.
Coinciding with the visit of DPM/FM @MIshaqDar50 to Bangladesh, Pakistan is pleased to launch “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor.” The project envisages grant of 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students for pursuing higher studies in Pakistan during the next five years. A…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
In his remarks at the reception, the foreign minister underscored that the people of Pakistan had fraternal sentiments towards the people of Bangladesh, the FO said on X.
“He noted that the relations between the two countries were anchored in centuries-old shared traditions, Islamic heritage, social norms and literary expressions.”
Wishing the people of Bangladesh a harmonious and prosperous future, Dar expressed Pakistan’s “strong desire to forge a cooperative and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, visited the residence of Ameer, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ,Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who is convalescing after a cardiac surgery. On behalf of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his own behalf , he… pic.twitter.com/c5eknbBGlZ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
The deputy PM interacted with personalities from “different walks of life, including advisers of the Bangladeshi government, bureaucrats, leadership of political parties, vice chancellors, members of intelligentsia and think tanks, sportsmen, artists, journalists, retired generals, and others,” the FO added.
Beginning his two-day visit yesterday, Dar met with the delegations of Bangladesh’s three political parties—National Citizens Party (NCP), Jamaat-i-Islami, and the BNP.
The Daily Star, quoting unnamed foreign ministry officials, said the two sides are also planning to hold the long-stalled Joint Economic Commission meeting in September or October, two decades since its last session. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb may visit Dhaka for the meeting, the report added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 attended a reception, hosted in his honour by the High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh, Mr Imran Haider. At the reception , the DPM/FM interacted with a number of personalities from… pic.twitter.com/yY82J0YAX3
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2025
Thaw in relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have seen a thaw since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, with renewed trade links and diplomatic engagement. Officials told The Daily Star that the two sides are planning to convene the long-stalled Joint Economic Commission in September or October, two decades after its last meeting. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is expected to visit Dhaka for the session.
The FO termed Dar’s visit a “significant milestone” in bilateral relations and a signal of Islamabad’s intent to foster regional integration through Saarc.
