Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening cooperation across diverse sectors, marking a new phase in relations following the ouster of long-time Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
The signing ceremony, held in Dhaka on Sunday, was overseen by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.
The agreements include:
- Visa Abolition Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
- MoU on Joint Working Group on Trade.
- MoU between Foreign Service Academies of both countries.
- MoU between Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
- MoU between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
- Cultural Exchange Programme.
These arrangements will boost cooperation in trade, economic growth, diplomatic training, academic exchanges, media collaboration, and cultural ties.
Earlier, both nations approved a visa-free entry agreement for diplomats and government officials, effective for five years. Under the arrangement, holders of official and diplomatic passports from Pakistan and Bangladesh can travel freely without visas.
Officials stressed that these steps will institutionalize bilateral cooperation and pave the way for closer relations between the two countries after years of strained ties.
