Islamabad explores new avenues of coop with Dhaka

Staff Reporter :

The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the sixth round of Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and Pakistan demonstrated a mutual commitment to renewing and strengthening bilateral relations.

According to a statement released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, the discussions took place in a cordial atmosphere and reflected a mutual commitment to revitalising bilateral engagement.

The sixth round of Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and Pakistan was held in Dhaka on 17 April, marking a significant resumption of dialogue after a 15-year hiatus.

The talks were led by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin.

Both sides engaged in a comprehensive dialogue covering a range of political, economic, cultural, educational, and strategic matters, grounded in shared historical ties and cultural affinities.

The statement highlighted satisfaction with recent high-level contacts between the two nations at international fora in New York, Cairo, Samoa, and Jeddah, noting these interactions have helped reinvigorate bilateral relations.

The two sides emphasised the need to maintain momentum through regular institutional dialogue, early conclusion of pending agreements, and enhanced cooperation in key areas including trade, agriculture, education, and connectivity.

Pakistan extended academic opportunities in its agricultural universities, while Bangladesh offered technical training in fisheries and maritime disciplines.

The Bangladeshi delegation also welcomed scholarship offers from private Pakistani universities and underscored the importance of deepening educational collaboration.

Connectivity featured prominently in the discussions, with both parties welcoming the launch of direct maritime shipping between Karachi and Chattogram.

hey also underlined the importance of resuming direct air links and expressed satisfaction with progress in facilitating travel and visa procedures.

Cultural cooperation was also addressed. Bangladesh acknowledged recent performances by Pakistani artists in Dhaka, while Pakistan encouraged reciprocal cultural exchanges. Discussions included expanding cooperation in sports, media, and cultural institutions, alongside efforts to finalise relevant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

On multilateral matters, both countries reaffirmed the importance of revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in line with its founding principles. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary commended Bangladesh’s leadership and expressed hope that SAARC activities would remain unaffected by bilateral political issues.

The Kashmir issue was raised during the consultations, with Pakistan reiterating its position on the need for a resolution in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Both nations jointly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression and serious human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.

During her visit, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch also held separate meetings with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain.

These meetings centred on strengthening regional integration, enhancing economic connectivity, and ensuring bilateral ties remain resilient to external pressures.

Bangladesh expressed anticipation for the forthcoming visit of Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

The two sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Islamabad in 2026.