During the meeting, Pakistan agreed to allow Bangladesh the use of Karachi Port, a move expected to strengthen trade logistics and connectivity between the two South Asian nations. In return, Bangladesh sought duty-free and quota-free access to the Pakistani market for its exports.
The nearly three-hour meeting addressed several key areas of potential collaboration. Both sides discussed the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in sectors such as agriculture, halal food, information technology, and shipping.
Following the meeting, Financial Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and Pakistan’s Energy Minister Ali Pervez Malik briefed the media, expressing optimism that the discussions would usher in a new era of partnership.
“The meeting is very important and will benefit the people of both countries,” said Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. “This is the first such meeting since 2005, and we believe it will create opportunities for stronger economic engagement.”
According to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh, Pakistan has offered 500 new scholarships for Bangladeshi students and has shown interest in establishing a university campus in Bangladesh.
Pakistan also expressed a desire to participate in international tenders in the security printing and banking sectors, as well as to provide technical training in the banking field.
The two countries also discussed joint initiatives in vaccine development, health research, family planning, and reproductive health. Additionally, Pakistan proposed collaboration on digital identity systems and passport digitization projects.
A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), paving the way for future cooperation in the maritime and ICT sectors.
Pakistan’s Energy Minister Ali Pervez Malik said, “This meeting will strengthen ties between the people of both countries and expand cooperation in various fields, including trade, education, and technology.”
The renewed dialogue signals a potential thaw in relations between Dhaka and Islamabad, focusing on economic collaboration and people-to-people connectivity after years of diplomatic stagnation.
