ISLAMABAD: Pakistani foreign affairs experts on Sunday urged Islamabad and Dhaka to institutionalize their relations through increased trade and investment, terming the rapprochement between the former rivals as a “key paradigm shift” in their ties.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday concluded a two-day visit to Bangladesh, where he met senior officials of the country, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The two nations signed agreements to abolish visas for diplomatic and official passport holders, promote trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh. Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since ex-PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024.
Islamabad has attempted to forge closer ties with Bangladesh in recent months as relations remain frosty between Dhaka and New Delhi over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina after she fled the country. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh began sea trade last year and began expanding government-to-government commerce in February.
