• Foreign ministers ‘disagree’ on settlement of outstanding issues, but vow to ‘forge ahead rather than looking back’
• Pakistan and Bangladesh sign ‘six instruments’ to promote cooperation in trade, academia and media
• FM calls on ex-PM Khaleda Zia; says direct flights to Dhaka to start in October
ISLAMABAD: The revival of old connections was on the table as Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Sunday, the second day of his visit to Dhaka.
Revitalisation of regional cooperation through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) remained high on the agenda, as both sides also signed “six instruments”, including an agreement on visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders.
According to a statement from Dhaka, the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade, youth-to-youth exchanges, increased education and cultural exchanges, and revitalising regional cooperation through Saarc.
“Our visions are aligned, and Saarc remains a top priority for both of us… I feel our two economies are complementary. There are many areas where we can work together,” Dr Yunus was quoted as saying.
While acknowledging that some sensitive issues remain, Professor Yunus emphasised several areas of collaboration, including frequent cultural exchanges. “When Pakistani singers perform in Bangladesh, everyone appreciates their talent. That is the spirit we must build upon,” he remarked.
Mr Dar, who is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit Bangladesh in 13 years, also met with his counterpart, Md. Touhid Hossain for a candid discussion on bilateral ties.
According to the leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star, while both sides expressed eagerness to advance bilateral relations, boost trade and commerce, and collaborate in regional and global forums, the two men differed on the outstanding or unresolved issues between their two nations, mostly dating from 1971.
“We acknowledged that the issues of 1971 cannot be solved in a day. We have agreed to continue discussions to that end,” Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain told journalists after meeting Mr Dar.
The unresolved issues refer to Bangladesh’s demand for a formal apology for the events of 1971, the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis and a return of assets covering its share in undivided Pakistan.
However, Mr Dar differed, saying that these issues had already been “resolved twice”; in 1974 (when Pakistan formally recognised Bangladesh) and again in 2002, when then-president Pervez Musharraf visited the country.
“He [Pervez Musharraf] actually addressed that issue and I think between a family, between brothers, once this is done, even Islam tells us to clean your heart,” The Daily Star quoted him as telling journalists.
He said the two nations should focus on moving forward instead of looking back.
Referring to the Bangladesh-India-Pakistan tripartite agreement signed in New Delhi on April 9, 1974, which dealt with the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis and the 195 prisoners of war, he said, “The document is historic and is available in both countries.”
Asked if he accepted the claims made by the Pakistan minister, Adviser Touhid said, “No, I don’t. If I did, the problem would have been solved. As I said, we presented our position and they presented theirs.”
MoUs signed
Speaking to journalists, Mr Dar announced that efforts were underway to improve connectivity including shipping and air travels.
“By October, we hope Fly Jinnah will launch direct flights between our two countries. The PIA is also expected to launch direct flights to Dhaka once the airline is privatised,” he said.
The two countries also signed six instruments – one agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders and five Memoranda of Understanding.
An MoU was also signed between the Foreign Service academies of both countries, while another MoU was inked between the Associated Press of Pakistan and the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha to further media cooperation.
These included an agreement on visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders, as well as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a Joint Working Group on trade.
In the domain of academics, an MoU was signed between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, while a cultural exchange programme was also agreed upon.
“These agreements will institutionalise and further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, training of diplomats, academic exchanges, media cooperation and cultural exchanges,” a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office highlighted.
Separately, Pakistan launched “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor”, a project which envisages the grant of 500 scholarships to Bangladeshi students for pursuing higher studies in Pakistan during the next five years.
“A quarter of these scholarships will be awarded in the field of medicine. Additionally, training for 100 Bangladeshi civil servants will be arranged during the same period,” the FO said in a statement.
Pakistan will also increase the scholarships allocated to Bangladeshi students under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme from five to 25.
Meeting with Khaleda Zia
Separately, Mr Dar also met with two-time former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia to inquire after her health.
The Daily Star reported that Mr Dar called on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader at her residence.
The Deputy PM conveyed Pakistan’s well-wishes and lauded Zia’s services as premier, also enquiring about her health.
Zia has been in declining health for years, is confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and also suffers from diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver.
“The memories of Begum Zia’s visit to Pakistan in 2006 were also recalled,” a Foreign Office statement said.
Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2025