A New Dawn in Pakistan–Bangladesh Relations
Mokarram Hossain :
By any measure, the recent visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, to Dhaka represents more than a diplomatic exchange; it is a turning point in Pakistan–Bangladesh relations.
For too long, ties between the two countries—bound by history, culture, and shared sacrifices—have been defined by the weight of the past rather than the possibilities of the future.
This visit, however, signaled a conscious attempt to reset the tone, broaden the dialogue, and inject fresh momentum into bilateral engagement. The high-level meetings and outreach in Dhaka demonstrated a clear resolve to build a relationship rooted in mutual respect, cooperation, and shared aspirations for regional peace and prosperity.
A Highly Productive Visit
Senator Dar himself described his 36-hour stay in Bangladesh as “highly productive,” expressing confidence that it would inject new momentum into bilateral ties through more frequent exchanges and enhanced cooperation across multiple sectors.
In his words, both sides held “wide-ranging and productive discussions” that reflected a strong alignment of views, whether on strengthening people-to-people relations, promoting trade and education, or addressing regional issues such as the revitalization of SAARC and the Rohingya crisis.
This optimism, articulated before his departure from Dhaka, reflected not just rhetoric but the substance of what was achieved during the visit.
Broad-Based Diplomatic and Political Outreach
During his stay in Dhaka, Senator Dar held wide-ranging discussions with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Md. Touhid Hossain, and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin. He also interacted with leaders of major political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP). Equally important, he paid a courtesy call on Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the BNP, and Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami at their residences.
The breadth of these meetings reflected a conscious effort to engage with the government, political leadership, and business circles alike—signaling that the future of Pakistan–Bangladesh relations will be comprehensive and inclusive. These interactions highlighted areas of shared interest, including trade, investment, education, and cultural cooperation.
Dar also emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with Bangladesh in international forums, particularly on humanitarian issues such as the Gaza crisis and on the plight of Rohingya refugees.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
The visit was marked by the signing of one agreement and five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These covered areas such as visa facilitation for diplomats, cultural exchanges, collaboration between national news agencies, cooperation between Foreign Service academies, trade promotion and collaboration between research institutions.
Together, these agreements aim to enhance institutional linkages, expand people-to-people contact, and inject greater dynamism into bilateral exchanges. Importantly, they create structured pathways for collaboration, ensuring that the momentum of this visit translates into tangible outcomes.
Continuity in Dialogue
This momentum builds on the resumption of Foreign Secretary-level talks earlier this year, when Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch visited Dhaka after a gap of over one decade.
The revival of that institutional mechanism was seen as a breakthrough, and Senator Dar’s visit reinforced the trajectory of continuity. The fact that dialogue is now structured, recurring, and wide-ranging underscores the seriousness of both sides in moving towards a more predictable and stable relationship.
Regional Relevance
The timing of this renewed engagement is particularly significant. South Asia is undergoing a phase of geopolitical recalibration, with countries seeking to diversify partnerships and strengthen regional mechanisms.
For Dhaka, deepening ties with Islamabad adds strategic balance at a time of shifting regional dynamics. For Pakistan, revitalizing its partnership with Bangladesh not only strengthens its standing in South Asia but also helps reinvigorate regional forums such as SAARC.
The discussions in Dhaka touched upon broader international issues, showing how Pakistan and Bangladesh can amplify each other’s voices on the global stage. Building Trust Through People-to-People Linkages
While government-level agreements are critical, the long-term strength of Pakistan–Bangladesh relations will rest on deepening people to people connections. Cultural exchanges, reciprocal cricket tours, educational linkages, and business cooperation have immense potential to bridge gaps.
Pakistan’s offer to support Bangladeshi students injured in last year’s protests was a symbolic yet powerful gesture, reflecting Islamabad’s commitment to human-centric diplomacy.
A Forward-Looking Relationship
The visit concluded with a shared understanding that Pakistan and Bangladesh must sustain the momentum created by this engagement.
Both sides agreed to institutionalize regular dialogues, finalize pending agreements, and explore new avenues of cooperation in education, culture, and capacity building. Senator Dar’s interactions with leaders across the political spectrum, combined with government-to-government agreements, set the stage for a broader, more resilient partnership.
Conclusion
Diplomatic history offers few moments when the future feels tangibly within reach. Senator Ishaq Dar’s visit to Dhaka may well be remembered as one such moment.
By engaging across political, economic, and cultural domains, reviving institutional dialogue, and signing agreements that anchor cooperation in concrete initiatives, the visit has set Pakistan and Bangladesh on an upward trajectory.
The challenge now lies in consolidating these gains and crafting a relationship that reflects the aspirations of the people of both nations.
(The writer is the editor of The New Nation)