Pakistan, Bangladesh move to deepen civil service cooperation and administrative engagement

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar on Friday said Pakistan attached special importance to institutional cooperation and administrative collaboration with friendly countries, stressing that stronger engagement between the civil services of Pakistan and Bangladesh would help promote mutual trust and constructive bilateral relations.

The minister made the remarks during a meeting with a visiting delegation of senior Bangladeshi civil service officers currently in Pakistan as part of an official exchange programme.

The meeting focused on governance systems, administrative reforms, institutional capacity building and professional cooperation between the two countries.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Federal Secretary for Information Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil also attended the session.

During the interaction, Tarar briefed the delegation on the Pakistani government’s reform initiatives and policy measures being implemented across various sectors.

He described the Executive Development Programme between the civil services of Pakistan and Bangladesh as a significant step forward in bilateral engagement, noting that both countries shared historical connections and a common administrative heritage.

“Enhanced engagement between the civil services of Pakistan and Bangladesh will further promote mutual trust and constructive collaboration,” the minister said.

Tarar welcomed the improving trajectory of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and expressed confidence that such institutional exchanges would contribute to deeper understanding and long-term cooperation between the two nations.

He also emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration between training and capacity-building institutions through faculty exchanges, joint research projects and the development of shared training modules.

The minister appreciated the successful implementation of the programme under the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor organized by the Civil Services Academy.

Members of the Bangladeshi delegation expressed interest in Pakistan’s administrative framework and reform measures introduced in different sectors, describing the discussions as productive and constructive.

Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Fatemi highlighted the importance of strengthening professional and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Bangladesh, saying closer engagement was essential for promoting regional harmony and mutual understanding.

Meanwhile, Syed Shabbir Akbar Zaidi briefed the delegation on the academy’s objectives, modern training systems, academic programmes and capacity-building initiatives.

The Bangladeshi delegation included senior officers Salma Siddiqa Mehtab, Muhammad Mustafa Jamal Haider, Abu Raihan Miha, Feroz Ahmed, Muhammad Munir-ul-Islam, Toufiq Imam, Raihan Akhtar, Ehtesham-ul-Haq, Muhammad Shams-ul-Haq, Muhammad Abdus Salam, Zi-ar-Rehman and Zia Ahmed Saman.