Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar plans to visit Bangladesh

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh next month as part of Islamabad's efforts to strengthen ties with Dhaka in light of evolving political dynamics, reports UNB.  

This will mark the first visit by a Pakistani Foreign Minister to Bangladesh since 2012. However, Bangladesh has consistently urged Pakistan to issue a formal public apology for the atrocities committed against unarmed Bangalees during the 1971 Liberation War under a previous regime. In February 2023, Dhaka reiterated this demand to Pakistan's former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, during a meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  

Separately, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has invited Ishaq Dar to visit Malaysia to discuss enhancing trade and developing a roadmap to facilitate meaningful business-to-business interactions.  

Speaking at a media briefing in Islamabad, Dar announced, “I will visit Malaysia from February 3 to 5. After completing my visit to Malaysia, I will travel to Bangladesh at the invitation of Dr. Yunus, which I received in Cairo.” He described the Bangladesh visit as “crucial” and referred to Bangladesh as a “lost brother.”  

“We will collaborate on economic and trade fronts, and progress in these areas is advancing rapidly,” Dar stated.  

The upcoming visit follows discussions between Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the D8 Summit in December 2024. The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral relations and address longstanding issues. Prof. Yunus urged Sharif to resolve the historical grievances related to 1971, emphasizing the need for closure to pave the way for stronger ties.  

Sharif acknowledged the 1974 tripartite agreement between Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India but expressed openness to addressing any remaining concerns. “Let’s settle those issues for us to move forward,” Prof. Yunus said, emphasizing the importance of resolving matters for future generations.  

The leaders also explored areas of cooperation, including sugar industry development and dengue management. Additionally, they expressed a shared interest in reviving SAARC, a priority in Prof. Yunus's foreign policy strategy since taking office as interim government head.  

Prof. Yunus highlighted his administration’s plans for essential reforms and pledged to hold general elections before mid-2026, aligning with his vision for strengthening regional collaboration.