Pak, Bangladesh agree to enhance bilateral trade

Dhaka
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, met with Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss the revival of historical connections and boosting trade and economic cooperation.
According to the Foreign Office, the talks also covered promoting youth linkages, enhancing connectivity, and reviewing recent developments in the region as well as prospects for wider regional cooperation.
Dar conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the Chief Adviser and briefed him on his engagements in Dhaka and the key outcomes of his visit.
He also expressed gratitude for the “excellent visit arrangements and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the course of the visit,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Earlier, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral relations. The signing ceremony, held in Dhaka under the supervision of Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain.
MoUs covered agreements on visa abolition for diplomats and government officials, cooperation between foreign service academies, and collaboration between news agencies Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Other MoUs include partnerships between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade, and a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025–2028.
DPM and Touhid Hossain discussed a wide range of issues, including high-level exchanges, trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, cultural and educational collaboration, capacity building, and humanitarian matters. Regional and international matters, including the revitalisation of SAARC, as well as the Palestine and Rohingya issues, were also reviewed.
The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere, “reflecting goodwill and cordiality between the two countries.” Both sides agreed to work towards further strengthening bilateral ties. Following the talks, the Bangladesh Foreign Adviser hosted a lunch in honour of Dar.
DPM also held a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh’s Adviser for Commerce Sk. Bashir Uddin, joined by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Khamal Khan.
According to the Foreign Office, officials attending the gathering included Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority; Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank; and Md. Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue and Secretary of the Internal Resources Division.
Other officials present included Md. Abdur Rauf, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute; Moinul Khan, Chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission; Nasreen Jahan, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce; Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad, Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh; and Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan.