Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to rebuilding trust and deepening engagement with Bangladesh, calling for stronger ties across trade, education, and culture.

His two-day official visit to Dhaka marks the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years and is being viewed as a significant step toward revitalising Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations.

Speaking at a reception hosted in his honour at the Pakistan High Commission, Dar expressed gratitude to the Bangladeshi government for the invitation and highlighted the countries’ shared cultural and historical roots.

“Our countries share brotherly ties rooted in history and culture,” he said. “There has been notable progress in our relationship over the past year, and we look forward to expanding cooperation in multiple sectors.”

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Dar underscored the importance of boosting trade and educational exchanges, noting the untapped potential for mutual benefit. He also praised Bangladesh’s role in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), stressing the need to revive the regional bloc to effectively tackle pressing challenges such as climate change and security.

“For the region’s development, SAARC must be made more effective,” he remarked, while calling for collective action to secure lasting peace and prosperity.

As part of his outreach, Dar held separate meetings with delegations from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and promoting cultural exchanges.

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According to Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, the meetings were cordial and constructive, with both sides acknowledging the need for more interaction between the youth of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Dar’s visit builds on recent momentum in Pakistan-Bangladesh engagement following political changes in Dhaka earlier this year. Since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, both countries have taken significant steps to normalise relations, including launching direct sea trade between Karachi and Chittagong, expanding government-to-government commerce, and discussing the resumption of direct air links.

Just last month, Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed in principle to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports — a move hailed as a major diplomatic breakthrough.

Dar will also meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain during his trip. Several agreements, particularly on trade and investment, are expected to be signed.