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News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
Pakistan Deputy PM To Visit Bangladesh As Dhaka Tilts Towards Islamabad After Hasina's Fall
Last Updated: Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy PM and Foreign Minister, will visit Dhaka to boost ties. Both nations agreed on visa-free entry for diplomats. Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, is scheduled to visit Dhaka later this month to boost ties with Bangladesh. This is the first visit of Pakistan's foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years since Hina Rabbani Khar's trip. Pakistan and Bangladesh are giving a fresh impetus to improve bilateral ties after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime in August last year. After arriving in Dhaka on August 23, Ishaq Dar will hold bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain and is likely to meet Muhammad Yunus. Pakistan's foreign office is yet to finalise the schedule of Dar's visit. According to a top diplomatic source, Dar and Hossain met during the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations. They discussed the bilateral ties and agreed to visit each other's countries. Pakistan-Bangladesh Visa-Free Agreement Pakistan and Bangladesh have, in principle, agreed to allow Visa-Free Entry to their Diplomatic and Official Passport holders' staff for smoother travel and entry. Bangladesh's Home Minister and retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury signed an agreement with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the latter's visit to Dhaka. Both nations have recently signed a visa-free entry agreement for diplomats and government officials. Sources claim that this agreement will particularly benefit military officials from both sides, enabling easier movement and more direct engagement. After the visit by Pakistan's top political delegation, a security delegation from Islamabad is likely to visit Dhaka in a couple of weeks to discuss military, security and strategic cooperation between the two nations. A high-level military delegation from Bangladesh recently visited Pakistan to explore avenues for enhanced military and strategic cooperation. The delegation toured Heavy Industries Taxila, Pakistan's primary defence production hub, and expressed interest in Pakistan's weapons industry, including Khalid tanks, mortars, drones, and the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Pakistan's SIFC To Facilitate Bangladeshi Investments According to top military sources, the Pakistan Army has set up a dedicated desk for Bangladesh at the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in Islamabad. This desk—similar to those already operating for Kashmir and Afghanistan—is headed by a Major General-rank officer designated as Director General, Bangladesh Desk. The Bangladesh Desk will oversee daily developments related to Bangladesh and coordinate with Pakistan's Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The SIFC will assist Bangladeshi businessmen and investors with smoother investment procedures, financial transitions, and visa facilitation. The ISI desk will also provide security and ensure hassle-free access for Bangladeshi military officials, top businessmen, and investors visiting Pakistan. Policy Shift After Regime Change In Dhaka Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, Dhaka has shown increasing interest in redefining its foreign policy orientation towards Islamabad. Pakistan has responded proactively, initiating military training programmes for Bangladeshi officers. Over the past year, more than 13 high-level security meetings have taken place between the military officials of both countries, reflecting growing bilateral defence cooperation. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: News world Pakistan Deputy PM To Visit Bangladesh As Dhaka Tilts Towards Islamabad After Hasina's Fall Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, BD vow to deepen bilateral ties
Pakistan and Bangladesh have pledged to strengthen bilateral relations after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Bangladesh's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hussain, on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations in New York on Monday. This marks the fourth high-level interaction between the two countries since October 2024, indicating a renewed momentum in Pakistan-Bangladesh ties following years of strain. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing political, economic and cultural cooperation. They also agreed to promote connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, with plans to facilitate high-level bilateral visits in the near future. Both sides expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli military aggression against Palestinians. They underscored their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and stressed the need for meaningful outcomes from the ongoing conference on the two-state solution. Ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have witnessed a notable thaw since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August last year, which had long maintained a tough posture on Pakistan over historical grievances. The change in government in Dhaka has allowed for more pragmatic and forward-looking engagement between the two South Asian Muslim-majority nations. Last week, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Dhaka, where he held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Lt Gen (R) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The two sides reached a landmark agreement to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports – a move widely seen as symbolic of growing mutual trust and a step toward easing travel restrictions for future trade and official exchanges. With regional dynamics shifting, particularly in light of China's rising influence and the decline of traditional regional groupings such as SAARC, Pakistan and Bangladesh appear to be recalibrating their foreign policy strategies. Both countries are now exploring issue-based cooperation focused on development, trade and strategic autonomy, moving beyond historical baggage. The recent engagements also reflect Pakistan's broader diplomatic push to reconnect with South Asian neighbours, strengthen Muslim world solidarity and project a more constructive role in regional diplomacy. Since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, Bangladesh's interim administration has removed restrictions on Pakistani diplomats and imports, giving a fresh impetus to bilateral ties.
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, UK reaffirm commitment to deepen ties
FM Ishaq Dar in meeting to review ongoing evacuation of Pakistani nationals/zaireen presently stranded in Iran & Iraq on June 18. Photo: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday met the UK Minister for Africa, the UN, Commonwealth, and Multilateral Affairs, Lord Collins of Highbury, on the sidelines of the UNSC Open Debate under Pakistan's presidency here. In the meeting, they reaffirmed commitment to deepening Pakistan-UK cooperation in economy, trade, and parliamentary engagement, and acknowledged the constructive role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK. On multilateral matters, Lord Collins welcomed Pakistan's contributions to strengthening dispute settlement mechanisms during its UNSC presidency. Both leaders discussed regional and global developments, including the situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and stressed the importance of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution on July 28.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Ishaq Dar arrives in New York for UN meetings
Ishaq Dar, arrived in New York for a week-long official visit Photo: MOFA Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, arrived in New York for a week-long official visit, where he will spearhead Pakistan's diplomatic engagements as president of the United Nations Security Council. During his stay from July 21 to 28, Dar is scheduled to lead high-level signature events at the UN headquarters, reflecting Islamabad's current leadership role in the Security Council. His visit will also include bilateral and multilateral meetings in New York and Washington, DC., aimed at strengthening Pakistan's foreign relations. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in New York for an official visit from 21 to 28 July 2025. During the visit, he will lead high-level signature events under Pakistan's Presidency of the UN Security Council, hold bilateral… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 21, 2025 Dar will represent Pakistan at the International Conference on the Two-State Solution, a high-profile event co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, which seeks to re-energise international support for Palestinian statehood. Upon arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Dar was received by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States. Read: Pakistan urges more funding for developing countries As part of his engagements, Dar will chair a high-level open debate on 'Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes', which seeks to reinforce diplomacy and mediation as vital tools for resolving global conflicts. He is also set to preside over the Council's quarterly open debate on the 'Situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question', reaffirming Pakistan's long-standing support for resolving protracted international disputes through dialogue and consensus. In addition, Dar will chair a special UNSC briefing focused on enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in a bid to strengthen synergy between multilateral institutions in the pursuit of global peace and security.
