ISLAMABAD/DHAKA: In a move to strengthen bilateral ties, Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports, a step that marks a significant easing of bureaucratic barriers between the two South Asian nations.
The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting in Dhaka between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladesh’s Home Minister Lt. Gen. (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
Naqvi, currently on an official visit, was given a warm reception with a guard of honour at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in security, counter-terrorism, drug trafficking prevention, and combating human smuggling.
One of the key highlights of the talks was the agreement to launch exchange training programs between police academies, aimed at boosting professional expertise. Naqvi also extended Pakistan’s support in capacity-building initiatives for Bangladeshi law enforcement.
Both sides decided to establish a joint coordination committee, led by Pakistan’s Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, to oversee the implementation of the decisions and explore further areas of collaboration.
Bangladesh also plans to send a high-level delegation to Islamabad soon to study Pakistan’s Safe City Project and visit the National Police Academy, showcasing the growing institutional partnership between the two countries.
This latest development follows the recent launch of direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong, as well as talks to restore direct air links to improve people-to-people and trade connections.
The meeting, attended by senior officials and diplomats from both sides, is seen as a turning point in rebuilding trust after years of minimal engagement. It also underscores a shared commitment to regional security and economic cooperation.
