Several Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation accords are being readied for signing as Pakistan's foreign and commerce ministers are making back-to-back Dhaka visit from tomorrow, officials said.
Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan arrives here tomorrow (August 21) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is due Saturday for bilateral visits earlier postponed for their domestic exigencies.
During their visits, discussions will be held with the interim government on normalising political and economic relations, the officials said.
On the occasion of the Foreign Minister's visit, several instruments of cooperation are expected to be signed between the two countries.
Both ministers were originally scheduled to visit Dhaka at different times earlier. However, due to changes in Pakistan's domestic situation, the visits were postponed. In April, the Foreign Minister's Dhaka trip was suspended because of the India-Pakistan conflict. Similarly, preliminary discussions were held regarding the Commerce Minister's visit in June, but that plan was also put on.
During the tenure of the previous government of Bangladesh, relations with Pakistan had remained somewhat cool. Since the interim government took office after the July 2024 changeover, multiple meetings have taken place between the political leaderships of the two countries.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held two meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in New York and in Egypt.
For the purpose of foreign-office consultations, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch also visited Dhaka. Recently, Pakistan's Interior Minister visited Dhaka as Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council and held meetings with the advisers for Home Affairs and Sports.
In connection with the tours, Bangladesh and Pakistan are discussing the signing of several instruments. These include an agreement on visa-free travel facilities for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between Bangladesh's Foreign Service Academy and its Pakistani counterpart, and another MoU on the formation of a joint working group for discussions between the two commerce ministries.
In addition, the renewal of the MoU on cultural exchanges and an MoU between Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and Pakistan's APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) may also be inked.
On August 24, a bilateral meeting will be held between the foreign ministers of the two countries which will be followed by the instrument-signing ceremony. In the afternoon that day, Ishaq Dar will pay a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser.
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