Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to Visit Dhaka to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is set to visit Dhaka in the third week of August on a bilateral visit aimed at bolstering ties between the two nations. Several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, with Islamabad keen on signaling its intent to further strengthen relations with Dhaka. A Bangladeshi diplomat confirmed that the visit, initially scheduled for April but postponed, is now set to take place, likely on August 22 or 23, with preparations underway.

The visit was originally planned for April 27 but was deferred due to heightened tensions along the Pakistan-India border following a terrorist attack in Pehelgam, India. A diplomatic source noted that all arrangements were nearly finalized before Pakistan postponed the trip.

During his visit, Ishaq Dar is expected to hold key discussions with Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain, and pay a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The two officials recently met on the sidelines of an international conference in New York, marking their fourth meeting in a year. Discussions in New York touched on Dar’s upcoming Dhaka visit, with the Pakistani minister expressing interest in visiting soon after Dr. Yunus’s trip to Malaysia. Dar also highlighted plans to simplify visa procedures for Bangladeshis and boost trade between the two countries. Diplomatic sources indicate that several agreements may be signed during the visit, with some progress already made on issues not previously discussed. While the exact number of agreements remains unclear, preparations are nearly complete. The recent political changes in Bangladesh, driven by a student-led uprising, have added a new dimension to Bangladesh-Pakistan relations. After a 15-year lull, Islamabad has shown keen interest in advancing bilateral ties. This was evident in a foreign secretary-level meeting held in Dhaka last April, led by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch—the first such meeting in over a decade. Since the interim government took office in Bangladesh, visible progress has been made in bilateral relations. Notably, direct cargo shipping between Karachi and Chattogram began in November last year, a service previously unavailable. In December, Bangladesh’s Home Ministry eased visa requirements for Pakistani nationals and those of Pakistani descent, removing the need for prior clearance from the ministry. Pakistan also announced visa fee waivers for Bangladeshis in September and initiated efforts to establish direct flight connections. However, unresolved issues from 1971, including Pakistan’s acknowledgment of the genocide, reparations, the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, asset sharing, and outstanding payments from foreign aid during the 1970 cyclone in undivided Pakistan, remain critical for Dhaka. A diplomat noted that these issues will likely be raised during Dar’s visit, though specifics will be decided during the talks. Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has consistently emphasized that Bangladesh seeks better ties with Pakistan without sidelining the 1971 liberation war. He has stated that Dhaka has not signaled any willingness to overlook the events of 1971, and any improvement in relations will include addressing these historical grievances. While resolving these long-standing issues may not be immediate, Hossain believes an earnest apology from Pakistan for 1971 would be a significant step forward.