Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.
According to an official statement from the Chief Adviser’s office, the talks centered on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation, as well as expanding cultural, educational, and medical exchanges between the two South Asian nations.
During the talks, Commissioner Haider highlighted that trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh has grown notably, marking a 20% increase over the past year. He added that business communities in both countries are actively working to identify new investment opportunities and explore additional areas of shared economic interest.
The Pakistani envoy emphasized the growing strength of cultural and academic exchanges, noting that more Bangladeshi students are pursuing higher education in Pakistan. He highlighted rising interest in disciplines such as medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
Haider also informed the Chief Adviser that direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi are expected to begin in January, a move expected to boost travel, trade, and people-to-people ties.
According to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, the country exported goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh in 2023–24, while imports stood at just $57 million.
In August this year, the commerce ministries of Pakistan and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding to form a Joint Working Group on Trade, with the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion in the financial year that began in July.
Yunus welcomed the expanding engagement between the two nations and highlighted the value of greater exchanges in culture, education, and people-to-people ties among SAARC member states.
He also affirmed the need to enhance Bangladesh–Pakistan trade and expressed optimism that, during Haider’s tenure, both sides would identify new opportunities for investment and joint ventures.
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