Dhaka: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to arrive here on Sunday for a two-day official visit, as both countries are working to finalize several instruments expected to be signed during the visit. This marks a significant development in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, as it is the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the visit is seen as a potential ice-breaker to normalize bilateral ties that have been strained for over a decade. A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that while it remains unconfirmed how many instruments will be signed, there is a strong possibility that multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be concluded.
Diplomats are viewing the tour as essential for re-engaging Dhaka and Islamabad in establishing a functional working relationship. High-level visits such as this are considered pivotal for normalizing relations that had experienced a sharp decline during the previous ousted Awami League regime. During that period, both countries scaled back diplomatic engagements and significantly restricted visa issuance for each other’s nationals.
Officials have emphasized that economic cooperation, easing of visa processes, and enhancing people-to-people contacts are key prerequisites for fostering constructive bilateral ties. Dhaka also expects Islamabad to address several long-standing historical issues, including the settlement of financial dues arising from the division of pre-independence assets.
According to the itinerary, Ishaq Dar will arrive in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon by a special flight and will depart on Monday evening. Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and his Pakistan counterpart Dar are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Monday morning at the State Guest House Padma. Dar will also meet with the Honourable Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus in the afternoon, and meetings with representatives of the business community are also planned.
The groundwork for this visit was laid during the foreign secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) held in Dhaka on April 17, the first such meeting in 15 years. A joint working group comprising officials from the foreign ministry and the Pakistan High Commission has been formed to finalize the proposed MoUs through consultations with relevant ministries.
During the FOC, Dhaka urged Islamabad to adopt a “strong forward-looking approach” by addressing historical grievances, including a formal apology for the genocide committed during the 1971 Liberation War and resolution of outstanding financial issues linked to pre-independence assets. Key issues discussed included the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, equitable distribution of undivided assets, and a formal apology for the atrocities carried out by the then Pakistani military in 1971.
Foreign affairs analysts in Dhaka, commenting to BSS on the high-level visit, have noted that much will depend on the political follow-up to the recent FOC, particularly regarding Islamabad’s position on the 1971 genocide apology and asset settlement. Former diplomat and foreign relations expert Ambassador Humayun Kabir mentioned that the issues raised in the FOC could yield some results during Dar’s visit. Similarly, former ambassador Mahfuzur Rahman expressed optimism about the political level talks providing direction following the FOC discussions.