Pakistan’s foreign minister is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow for a two-day official visit, during which several bilateral cooperation agreements are expected to be signed.

According to a senior foreign ministry official, Dar will hold talks with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday morning at the state guest house Padma. The discussions are likely to culminate in the signing of four to five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade, culture, media, training, and travel. The foreign adviser will brief the media following the talks and signing.

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan is also expected to join the bilateral meeting. Later in the evening, both visiting ministers are scheduled to call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The last ministerial-level visit from Pakistan took place in November 2012, when then–foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited Dhaka.

Diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and Islamabad has gained fresh momentum following Bangladesh’s political transition last year. The two countries have since launched direct shipping services, eased visa and trade procedures, and are preparing to open direct flight routes. Pakistani carrier Fly Jinnah has already received approval to operate on the Dhaka–Karachi route, while Air Sial has applied for permission, officials said.