In a significant development aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed an agreement allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries to travel without a visa.
Officials confirmed that the arrangement will remain in force for a period of five years, marking a major step toward fostering trust and smoother official-level engagement between the two South Asian nations.
The announcement came during the visit of Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, to Dhaka, where he met Bangladesh’s Adviser for Industries, Adilur Rahman Khan. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and industrial development through joint initiatives and mutual investments.
Kamal underscored Pakistan’s eagerness to play a role in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing industrial landscape, encouraging joint ventures in key sectors. “Pakistan is keen to be a part of Bangladesh’s evolving industrial journey, with opportunities for collaboration that can benefit both sides,” he noted.
During his stop at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Commerce Minister also invited Bangladeshi traders to expand imports of Pakistani goods, particularly cement, sugar, footwear, and leather products.
The recent push for closer cooperation comes amid a thaw in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, following years of strained ties. Relations have notably improved since the ouster of long-time Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Hasina, widely regarded as an India-aligned leader, fled the country in a helicopter to India during the revolution and has since resisted extradition requests to face charges of crimes against humanity.
With political dynamics shifting in Dhaka, both countries now appear eager to reset their ties and explore avenues for deeper economic and diplomatic engagement. Analysts view the visa-free travel arrangement as both symbolic and practical, setting the stage for a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.
