Pakistan And Bangladesh Strengthen Bilateral Ties With Six Key Agreements

Pakistan and Bangladesh signed six major agreements on August 24, 2025, during a historic visit by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka. This marked the first visit by a Pakistani minister to Bangladesh in 13 years, aiming to restore and strengthen bilateral relations after years of tension.

The agreements cover trade, education, media, and cultural cooperation, institutionalizing collaboration between the two nations. They include the creation of a joint working group on trade, cooperation between foreign service academies, and academic exchanges.

A visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders was also agreed upon, facilitating smoother travel between the two countries. Additionally, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative was launched, offering 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students over the next five years, with a quarter allocated for medical studies and training for 100 civil servants.

During his visit, Ishaq Dar held meetings with Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin to explore ways to enhance trade and economic cooperation. The two countries aim to further increase their trade volume, which rose 27% to $865 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Discussions also addressed regional and international issues, including the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the resolution of the Palestine and Rohingya crises.

The agreements and diplomatic engagement signal a positive shift in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, moving toward deeper cooperation and mutual understanding across multiple sectors.

As both countries build on this momentum, the strengthened partnership is expected to contribute to regional stability, economic growth, and long-term prosperity in South Asia.

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