In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed a visa-free travel agreement for holders of government and diplomatic passports — a move set to ease official travel and deepen the bilateral engagement between the two nations.

The agreement was one of six signed on Sunday during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Dhaka, marking the first such high-level trip in 13 years.

The visa-free pact was formalised following delegation-level talks between Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hussain. Other agreements aim to bolster cooperation in trade, diplomatic training, education, media, strategic studies, and cultural exchange.

Dar’s two-day official visit, described by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry as an “important step in strengthening bilateral ties,” also included meetings with leaders of several political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, with the latter having historically opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, making the engagement especially noteworthy.

According to The Daily Star, both countries plan to revive their Joint Economic Commission, with a meeting expected in September or October, the first in nearly 20 years. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is scheduled to visit Dhaka for this purpose.

The six agreements include:

1. Visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
2. Trade working group formation to address trade issues and boost bilateral commerce.
3. Foreign service academy collaboration between diplomatic training institutions.
4. Media cooperation between Associated Press of Pakistan and Bangladesh News Agency Sangbad.
5. Strategic studies partnership involving research institutions from both sides.
6. Cultural exchange programmes to promote mutual understanding through art and traditions.

STRENGTHENED BILATERAL TIES

At a joint press conference, Dar stated that Pakistan seeks “a new era of partnership with Bangladesh” and called on the government, political parties, and youth to unite in strengthening bilateral relations.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry highlighted that the talks took place in a “cordial atmosphere,” reflecting “the existing friendship between the two countries.” Discussions also touched on regional and global issues, including the Palestine and Rohingya crises, and the revival of SAARC.

In a move aimed at boosting people-to-people ties, Pakistan announced 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students over the next five years, with 25 per cent allocated for medical education. It also increased scholarships under its technical assistance programme from 5 to 25 and pledged specialised training for 100 Bangladeshi civil servants.

– Ends

With inputs from ANI

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