Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh and Pakistan have signed one agreement, four memoranda of understanding (MoUs), and a cultural exchange program (CEP).
The signing took place on Sunday (August 24) at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka. On behalf of their respective countries, Bangladesh’s Interim Government Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the documents.
Bilateral Meetings and Agreement
Prior to the signing, the two sides held a bilateral meeting at the foreign ministry level. Following a one-on-one session, delegation-level talks were held. After the discussions, the two countries signed an agreement to abolish visas for holders of official and diplomatic passports.
Signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
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Formation of a Joint Working Group on trade between the two countries.
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Cooperation between the Foreign Service academies of Bangladesh and Pakistan.
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Collaboration between the state news agencies — BSS (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha) and APP (Associated Press of Pakistan).
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Cooperation between the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).
Program Signed
A Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) was also signed between the two nations.
Other Events During the Visit
During his visit, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended a breakfast meeting with Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin this morning. At noon, he is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman at his residence.
In the afternoon, Dar will hold a meeting with Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, and in the evening, he is expected to visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s residence in Gulshan to inquire about her health.
Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka yesterday (Saturday) on a special flight. On the first day of his visit, he held separate meetings with leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Jatiya Nagorik Party. In those discussions, he emphasized strengthening political and economic relations as well as enhancing mutual cooperation.