[🇧🇩] Bangladesh-Pakistan Relation---Can we look beyond 1971?

[Saif]

12 Bangladeshi bureaucrats to travel to Pakistan for professional training

Twelve senior Bangladeshi civil servants are set to travel to Pakistan for a professional training programme, according to an office order issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. The training will take place at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore from May 4 to May 21, the order issued on

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

12 Bangladeshi bureaucrats to travel to Pakistan for professional training

bdnews24.com

Published :
May 02, 2026 22:52
Updated :
May 02, 2026 22:52

Twelve senior Bangladeshi civil servants are set to travel to Pakistan for a professional training programme, according to an office order issued by the Ministry of Public Administration.

The training will take place at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore from May 4 to May 21, the order issued on Apr 30 said, listing the participating officials.

According to the ministry, the Pakistan government will bear all expenses related to the programme, with no financial involvement from Bangladesh.

The development comes amid improving ties between Dhaka and Islamabad following political changes triggered by the July movement that led to the fall of the Awami League-led government.

Diplomatic engagement between the two countries has increased in recent months, alongside a revival in trade and connectivity.

In November 2024, a Pakistani vessel docked at Chattogram Port for the first time in decades, while direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi resumed in January.

The engagement is being seen as the first structured professional exchange between senior bureaucrats of the two countries since the early 1970s, according to Pakistani media reports.

However, The News reported that the visiting delegation may include up to 20 Bangladeshi officials.

The group comprises senior-level bureaucrats, including additional secretaries and joint secretaries from key ministries.

Hosted at the Pakistan Administrative Service campus, the programme is designed to facilitate comparative learning between the administrative systems of the two countries.

According to media reports, the training will focus on innovation in public administration, policy design, governance reforms, and economic management frameworks.​

 

[Saif]

15-member UGC delegation to visit Pakistan soon

A high-level 15-member delegation led by Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, will visit Pakistan soon. The information was shared today when a three-member delegation from the Pakistan High Commission to Bangladesh, led by High Commissioner I

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

15-member UGC delegation to visit Pakistan soon

BSS

Published :
May 05, 2026 21:20
Updated :
May 05, 2026 21:20

A high-level 15-member delegation led by Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, will visit Pakistan soon.

The information was shared today when a three-member delegation from the Pakistan High Commission to Bangladesh, led by High Commissioner Imran Haider, paid a courtesy call on the UGC Chairman at his office in the capital's Agargaon.

Other members of the delegation were Deputy High Commissioner Muhammad Wasif and Counsellor (political) Kamran Dhangal.

During the meeting, High Commissioner Imran Haider said that during the upcoming visit, the delegation will tour various higher education institutions in Pakistan and hold discussions with senior officials on improving the quality of education and research.

In particular, they will have the opportunity to observe on-site the changes and significant improvements in Pakistan’s higher education system following the transformation of the University Grants Commission into the Higher Education Commission, he said.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed described the visit as highly important, saying that “gaining direct insight into Pakistan’s experience in higher education and research could open new horizons for higher education and research for Bangladeshi students.

In recent years, Pakistan has made remarkable progress in higher education and research.”

He further said that the government of Bangladesh and the UGC do not differentiate between public and private universities in terms of higher education provision.

He said the country has already achieved quantitative expansion in higher education; the current focus is on ensuring quality education and excellence in research.

High Commissioner Imran Haider also said that Pakistan’s universities have achieved significant success at the global level in fields such as medicine, engineering, information technology, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.

He said several public and private universities in the country are currently playing a leading role in research.

Members present at the meeting included UGC members Professor Dr Md. Saidur Rahman and Professor Dr Mohammad Ayub Islam, Commission Secretary Dr Md. Fakhrul Islam, Director of the International Cooperation Division, Jesmin Parvin.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh, Pakistan sign MoU to combat drug trafficking, narcotics abuse

The MoU also provides for joint intelligence-led operations, including ‘controlled delivery operations,’ to disrupt transnational drug networks.

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh, Pakistan sign MoU to combat drug trafficking, narcotics abuse

BSS
Dhaka
Published: 08 May 2026, 20: 24

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi signed a MoU on 7 May 2026. PID

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in preventing illicit drug trafficking, narcotics abuse and related money laundering activities.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi signed the instrument on behalf of their respective sides, according to a Home Ministry press release.

In the MoU both countries agreed to enhance cooperation through intelligence sharing, technical assistance and coordinated anti-narcotics operations to combat the trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors.

According to the agreement, Bangladesh and Pakistan will regularly exchange information on drug traffickers, drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), emerging smuggling routes and new concealment techniques used in narcotics trafficking.

The MoU also provides for joint intelligence-led operations, including ‘controlled delivery operations,’ to disrupt transnational drug networks.

Intelligence agencies of both countries will conduct activities based on mutual requests and coordinated cooperation.

As part of capacity-building efforts, the two sides agreed to arrange training and retraining programmes for drug control officials and exchange scientific research and expertise related to narcotics control.

The agreement further includes technical cooperation in the use of modern equipment and sniffer dogs for detecting concealed drugs.

Under the framework of the MoU, Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force will serve as focal points for operational coordination and regular information exchange.

Both countries also agreed to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all shared information and documents, ensuring that no information is disclosed to any third party without prior consent.

The MoU will remain valid for 10 years from the date of signing and may be extended further through mutual agreement.

Officials from both sides expressed hope that the agreement would strengthen regional cooperation against narcotics trafficking and help ensure public health and security for the citizens of both countries.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh, Pakistan vow stronger bilateral cooperation

Bangladesh and Pakistan today reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral engagement and expanding cooperation across key sectors

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh, Pakistan vow stronger bilateral cooperation

BSS
Published: 09 May 2026, 17: 22

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam met the visiting Pakistan''s Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi Courtesy

Bangladesh and Pakistan today reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral engagement and expanding cooperation across key sectors as senior ministers of the two countries held talks in the capital, emphasizing regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts.

The discussion took place when State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam met the visiting Pakistan''s Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi at a city hotel here, said a foreign ministry's press release.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction over the recent momentum in bilateral engagements, reaffirming their shared commitment to further strengthening relations between the two countries.

They noted that considerable untapped potential remains for expanding cooperation in trade and commerce, sports, culture, women entrepreneurship, education, science and technology, and digital innovation.

The two sides also underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts and promoting greater institutional collaboration to deepen bilateral ties.

Shama reiterated the Bangladesh government''s commitment to revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an important platform for regional cooperation, connectivity and shared prosperity.

Both sides stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation for the collective benefit of the peoples of South Asia.​

 

[Saif]

Pakistan launches second phase of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for students from Bangladesh

The second phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships under Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor was launched with the inauguration of the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 at a local hotel in Dhaka today, Monday. Organised by the Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh in collaboration with the...

en.prothomalo.com

Pakistan launches second phase of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for students from Bangladesh

Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 11 May 2026, 20: 13

Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan jointly organised the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 at Radisson Blu Dhaka on 11 May 2026 Courtesy Pakistan High Commission.

The second phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships under Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor was launched with the inauguration of the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 at a local hotel in Dhaka today, Monday.

Organised by the Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the Expo brought together representatives of 20 leading Pakistani universities and institutions to showcase scholarship opportunities and higher education opportunities for students from Bangladesh.


The Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor was initiated following the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh in August 2025, during which he announced 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students.

The initiative reflects the shared vision of Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to promote education, youth development and academic collaboration between the two countries, says a media release of Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider addresses the event Courtesy Pakistan High Commission.

The Expo was inaugurated by Bangladesh Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.

The event was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Vice Chancellors and Principals of leading universities and colleges, representatives of Pakistani universities, journalists and a large number of students.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon said that Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor would open new avenues for educational and research cooperation between the two countries and further strengthen bilateral academic relations.

Appreciating the initiative, he remarked that the opportunity being provided to students from Bangladesh to pursue quality higher education in Pakistan on fully funded scholarships was highly commendable.

Students visit the expo Courtesy Pakistan High Commission

High Commissioner Imran Haider, in his remarks, described the initiative as a landmark step towards building enduring academic and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He noted that Bangladeshi students have already commenced studies at prominent Pakistani universities under the first phase and expressed confidence that enhanced educational exchanges would further strengthen bilateral relations and people-to-people ties.

He emphasised that the programme would create new avenues for academic mobility, joint research, institutional partnerships and deeper people-to-people engagement.

Following Dhaka, similar Education Expos will also be organised in Barishal (12 May), Rajshahi (14 May), Sylhet (17 May), Chattogram (18 May) and Rangpur (20 May) to facilitate greater outreach to students across Bangladesh.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and academia and was widely appreciated as an important initiative to deepen educational cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.​