Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar’s visit to Dhaka marks a historic step in strengthening bilateral ties with Bangladesh. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar embarked on a two-day official visit to Dhaka on Saturday, August 23, 2025, marking the first such trip by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh in 13 years. The visit, at the invitation of the Bangladeshi government, aims to bolster bilateral relations through high-level meetings and the signing of multiple agreements. This diplomatic engagement signals a thaw in historically strained ties between the two nations.
Why This Matters in South Asia
Ishaq Dar’s visit is a pivotal moment for Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, which have been marred by historical tensions since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. The warming of ties, accelerated after the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, could reshape regional dynamics, especially as both nations seek to counterbalance India’s influence in South Asia. Enhanced trade and connectivity could foster economic growth and stability in the region.
Ishaq Dar’s Historic Visit to Dhaka
The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan described Ishaq Dar’s trip as a “significant milestone” in bilateral relations, noting it as the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012. Dar departed from Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and is scheduled to meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Md Touhid Hossain. According to the FO, discussions will cover the “whole range of bilateral relations” and regional issues. The visit, set to conclude on Sunday, August 24, 2025, is expected to result in the signing of six to seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including agreements on trade, cultural exchange, and visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders.
The Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka will host a reception on Saturday evening, where Dar is expected to engage with academics, politicians, and civil society members. This follows recent high-level engagements, including a visit by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan to Dhaka on Wednesday, August 21, 2025, to discuss trade enhancement.
Trade and Investment Initiatives
The visit builds on recent progress in economic cooperation. In February 2025, Pakistan and Bangladesh initiated government-to-government trade, with Pakistan importing 50,000 tonnes of rice from Bangladesh. Direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong resumed in November 2024, marking the first such connection in decades. Both nations have agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade and reactivate the Joint Economic Commission (JEC), dormant since 2005, to boost trade and investment.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s meetings in Dhaka focused on reducing tariffs, lifting anti-dumping duties on hydrogen peroxide, and improving logistics to cut costs. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, both countries aim to tap into “vast untapped potential” in bilateral trade. Discussions also included preferential market access for Bangladeshi products in Pakistan.
Visa and Connectivity Enhancements
In April 2025, Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed to visa-free entry for diplomatic and official passport holders, a move approved by Bangladesh’s Advisory Council Committee on Wednesday, August 21, 2025. Plans to resume direct air links are underway, with Pakistani carriers Fly Jinnah and Air Sial seeking approvals for Dhaka-Karachi routes. These steps aim to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and boost economic connectivity.
Background
Pakistan and Bangladesh, once part of a single nation, split after the 1971 Liberation War, which led to Bangladesh’s independence. Relations remained strained under Sheikh Hasina’s government, which leaned heavily on India and pursued trials for 1971 war collaborators. Hasina’s ouster in August 2024, following a student-led uprising, shifted Dhaka’s foreign policy, creating space for improved ties with Islamabad. Recent diplomatic engagements, including Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch’s visit to Dhaka in April 2025 and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s talks with Yunus, reflect this shift. The two nations have also expressed solidarity on international issues, such as the Palestinian crisis, during meetings at global forums.
What’s Next
Ishaq Dar’s visit is expected to lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation, with agreements on trade, culture, and strategic studies set to be finalised on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The establishment of joint commissions and enhanced connectivity could pave the way for a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, with Ishaq Dar playing a central role in sustaining this momentum.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 23rd, 2025
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