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

[Saif]

Pakistan President Zardari congratulates Fakhrul, invites him to Pakistan

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as Bangladesh President and invited him to visit Pakistan to further strengthen bilateral relations.

en.prothomalo.com

Pakistan President Zardari congratulates Fakhrul, invites him to Pakistan

BSS
Dhaka
Published: 21 Aug 2026, 22: 41

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Asif Ali Zardari BSS

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as Bangladesh President and invited him to visit Pakistan to further strengthen bilateral relations.

In a congratulatory message, Zardari expressed confidence that Bangladesh, under President Fakhrul’s leadership, would continue to make progress and advance the well-being of its people, according to the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.

The Pakistani President said Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoyed close bonds rooted in shared history, faith and cultural ties.

He welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations and expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow in areas of mutual interest.

Zardari said he looked forward to working with President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to further strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and promote greater exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.

The Pakistani President also invited President Fakhrul to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.

He expressed confidence that the visit would provide an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation between Dhaka and Islamabad.

President Zardari also conveyed his best wishes to President Fakhrul for the successful discharge of his responsibilities and for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/313909/deputy-speaker-kayser-kamal-discusses-stronger-relationships-with-pakistan-south-africa

Deputy speaker Kayser Kamal discusses stronger relationships with Pakistan, South Africa
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 15 September, 2026, 11:10

Deputy speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, leading a Bangladesh’s parliamentary delegation, hold a bilateral meeting with Pakistan National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Cape Town of South Africa on Monday. | UNB photo

Deputy speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, leading a Bangladesh’s parliamentary delegation, held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Cape Town of South Africa on Monday, focusing on issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The meeting took place ahead of the opening of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

During the meeting, the two parliamentary leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest and emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in deepening Bangladesh-Pakistan relations.

They underscored the need for regular dialogue and exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries, alongside increased people-to-people contacts.

Kayser Kamal also invited Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

The Pakistan National Assembly speaker, in turn, invited the speaker and deputy speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.

The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, with members of the parliamentary delegations of both countries in attendance.

On the same day, Kayser Kamal also held a bilateral meeting with the speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa Angela Thokozile Didiza, MP, and deputy speaker Annelie Lotriet, MP.

In a cordial atmosphere, the leaders discussed the existing relations between Bangladesh and South Africa, expansion of bilateral trade and investment, strengthening diplomatic engagement, and various regional and international issues of common interest to the two countries.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh delegation visits High Commission in Islamabad

A three-member high-level delegation, led by Foreign Ministry Secretary (East & West) and Inspector General of Missions Ambassador Dr Md Nazrul Islam, visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad of Pakistan on Tuesday. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Md Iqbal Hussain Khan received

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh delegation visits High Commission in Islamabad

A three-member high-level delegation, led by Foreign Ministry Secretary (East & West) and Inspector General of Missions Ambassador Dr Md Nazrul Islam, visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad of Pakistan on Tuesday.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Md Iqbal Hussain Khan received the delegation at the mission.

The Defence Adviser, Deputy High Commissioner, Press Counsellor, Counsellor (Consular), Head of Chancery and other officials and employees of the High Commission were present.

The delegation also included Deputy Secretary of the Finance Division Md Abdul Mannan and Assistant Secretary (Projects) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Shafquat Mosharraf.

During the visit, the delegation inspected Bangladesh's newly built Chancery Complex in the Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad.

The members of the delegation also planted a tree each on the High Commission premises.​

 

[Saif]

Tarique, Shehbaz pledge closer Bangladesh-Pakistan ties

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held constructive discussions on issues of mutual interest, regional and international developments and potential areas of cooperation for the welfare of the two countries’ peoples. The bilateral meeting w

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tarique, Shehbaz pledge closer Bangladesh-Pakistan ties

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held constructive discussions on issues of mutual interest, regional and international developments and potential areas of cooperation for the welfare of the two countries’ peoples.

The bilateral meeting was held at the UN Headquarters on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing.

“The two leaders discussed various aspects of Bangladesh-Pakistan bilateral relations and held constructive exchanges on issues of mutual interest, regional and international developments, and potential areas of cooperation for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries,” it said.

The two prime ministers emphasised advancing relations between the two countries based on mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, reports UNB.

They also stressed the importance of maintaining regular communication and dialogue on issues of common interest.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irene Khan were present.

The Pakistani prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior officials.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/trade-commerce/315339/pakistan-businesses-seek-deeper-trade-ties-with-bangladesh

Pakistan businesses seek deeper trade ties with Bangladesh
Sojib Miah . Dhaka 26 September, 2026, 00:13

Visitors attend ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition at International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital on Friday. | New Age photo

Pakistani businesses are seeking to deepen commercial ties with Bangladesh by expanding exports, building distribution networks and pursuing lower trade barriers, including a possible free trade agreement between the two countries.

The call came as more than 100 Pakistani companies participated in the fourth edition of the five-day ‘Made in Pakistan’ exhibition at International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital that commenced on Tuesday and is set to conclude today.

The exhibition, organised by the Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry, showcases products ranging from readymade garments, cosmetics and sports goods to jewellery, food, leather products and perfumes.

PAEI founder chairman M Khurshid Barlas told New Age that the exhibition was intended to create direct business links between companies from the two countries and help Pakistani businesses understand the Bangladeshi market.

‘We consider that they will meet, then they can understand the requirement and the acceptability of the Pakistani products,’ he said.

Khurshid, also honorary consul for Pakistan to the Republic of Sierra Leone, said that Pakistani exhibitors had received a strong response at previous editions of the exhibition and that such events allowed businesses to assess consumer demand and establish commercial relationships.

The organisers are also planning to hold a similar exhibition in Chattogram in February next year, he added.

Khurshid called for a free trade agreement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, saying that lower customs duties would make products from both countries more competitive.

‘Without the FTA, it is not possible to achieve our targets and exports,’ he said, adding that the existing South Asian Free Trade Area framework was not being utilised sufficiently for bilateral trade.

He also invited the Bangladesh government and businesses to organise a ‘Made in Bangladesh’ exhibition in Pakistan.

The PAEI would support such an event through sector-wise B2B meetings, publicity and other facilities, he said.

More than 250 Pakistani delegates are participating in the current exhibition, according to Khurshid. They are meeting Bangladeshi businesses, visiting markets and holding meetings with government and private-sector representatives.

He said that Bangladesh also had opportunities to increase exports to Pakistan, particularly pharmaceuticals, information technology services, jute, fresh food and readymade garments.

For participating Pakistani companies, the exhibition is also serving as a platform to find distributors and assess the potential for longer-term operations in Bangladesh.

Umer Shaikh, marketing head at Qarshi Industries Limited, said that the company was participating to introduce its products and explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s large consumer market.

Qarshi operates in FMCG and natural medicine sectors and has more than 500 products, he said. Its products are mainly based on natural herbs, while its flagship brands undergo more than 400 quality checks and tests, according to Umer.

The company already has a distributor in Bangladesh, but is seeking additional distributors, particularly in Dhaka, to expand its market presence.

Umer said that prices of its products ranged from around Tk 100-150 to about Tk 2,000.

He said that the company saw potential for products such as its red syrup and herbal items because of Bangladesh’s large consumer base and familiarity with such products.

Medicam Group is also looking for distributors in Bangladesh.

Atif Ahmed, the group’s export marketing head, said that it produced consumer, pharmaceutical and herbal products, as well as hair-care, personal-care, fragrance and baby-care products.

The company currently has no distributor in Bangladesh, but is discussing possible arrangements with local businesses.

The exhibition has brought the company into contact with distributors, importers and investors, including parties interested in joint ventures, co-manufacturing and full-scale manufacturing, Atif said.

He identified Bangladesh’s import duty structure as a major obstacle to expanding Pakistani products in the market.

Duties on some products in the company’s portfolio could reach 120 per cent to 190 per cent, making them expensive for Bangladeshi consumers, he said.

‘We actually want sustainable entry or sustainable growth in the Bangladeshi market,’ Atif said, calling for government-level initiatives, including a free trade agreement.

Pakistani basmati rice producers are also seeking to expand their presence in Bangladesh.

M Suleman Zafar, business unit head of allied products and strategy at Kausar, said that the company was looking for local distributors after observing demand for Pakistani basmati rice.

The company had held meetings with potential distributors and hoped to establish its brand in Bangladesh, he said.

He said that aroma and taste were among basmati rice’s main selling points. However, Pakistani basmati remains relatively expensive in Bangladesh because of customs duties, with good-quality varieties costing about Tk 400-450 a kilogram at the consumer level, he said.

Pakistani clothing companies are also using the exhibition to reach Bangladeshi customers and explore distribution opportunities.

Darab Ali, sales and growth head of Nureh, said that it was the company’s first participation in the exhibition and that customer response had improved after a relatively slow start.

Bangladeshi customers were particularly interested in Pakistani designs and fabrics such as lawn, pure cotton, chiffon and silk, he said.

Nureh’s products are priced between Tk 3,000 and Tk 20,000, depending on fabric, embellishment and production techniques.

The company is offering a flat 30 per cent discount during the exhibition.

Darab said that wholesalers, distributors and merchandisers had also visited the stall.

The company could consider maintaining a year-round presence in Bangladesh if demand remained strong, he said.

PAEI’s M Khurshid Barlas said that the exhibition’s main objective was ‘communication and market feasibility’.

The organisers said the exhibition would remain open to visitors and businesspeople from 11:00am to 10:00pm daily until September 26, that is today.​