In an effort to strengthen their bilateral relations, Bangladesh has loosened its visa requirements for Pakistanis.
Muhammad Iqbal Khan, the ambassador of Bangladesh to Pakistan, declared that after Dhaka relaxed visa requirements, Pakistanis could now apply for visas to Bangladesh online.
Speaking on Sunday at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ambassador Khan emphasized the value of greater cooperation between the two nations and noted that the people of Bangladesh want to develop a cordial and friendly relationship with Pakistan.
Thaw in relationship
The ambassador also highlighted the role of LCCI in enhancing bilateral trade, stressing the need for stronger economic and financial ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
This development comes amid a thaw in relations between the two nations, particularly after the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, assumed power in Bangladesh following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
In December 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Professor Yunus on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo, where both leaders discussed exploring new economic cooperation avenues. During this meeting, Prime Minister Sharif underscored the significant potential to expand trade in sectors such as chemicals, cement clinkers, surgical goods, leather products, and IT.
Gratitude
The Pakistani Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for its recent steps aimed at easing trade and travel, including the removal of the 100% physical inspection requirement for consignments from Pakistan and the elimination of a special security screening desk at Dhaka airport for Pakistani passengers. Additionally, Bangladesh has lifted additional clearance requirements for Pakistani visa applicants.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in their bilateral relations and committed to strengthening ties in various fields. They agreed to align efforts to achieve mutually beneficial goals and to continue fostering high-level exchanges, Geo TV reported.
Strengthening ties
The positive momentum between the two nations has been building since September 2024, when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Professor Yunus at the 79th UN General Assembly. During that meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong ties with Bangladesh, based on shared faith, history, and culture, and encouraged further people-to-people engagement through parliamentary exchanges, academic collaboration, and cultural interactions.
Maritime link
Following these discussions, the first-ever direct maritime link was established between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a cargo vessel successfully reaching Chittagong Port from Karachi. Additionally, Bangladesh purchased 25,000 tons of high-quality sugar from Pakistan in December, marking a shift from its usual sugar imports from India.
Shared Concerns and Future Prospects
In addition to their economic interests, both Islamabad and Dhaka share mutual concerns regarding regional security, particularly with respect to Indian aggression. As diplomatic and trade relations continue to grow, there is hope for further cooperation between the two nations in addressing common challenges.
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