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5h ago

Pakistan–Bangladesh Reset Advances With New Accords as Dhaka Rejects 1971 Claims

Dhaka says war‑era grievances remain unresolved despite the rare two‑day visit that focused on trade and connectivity.

Foreign Affairs Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government Mohammad Touhid Hossain (R) posing alongside Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a bilateral meeting in Dhaka.
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Overview

  • Ishaq Dar made the most senior Pakistani visit to Dhaka since 2012, holding talks with Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain and meeting interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus.
  • Both sides signed one agreement and five MoUs covering trade and investment mechanisms, cultural exchanges, cooperation between foreign service academies, strategic studies, and state news agency collaboration, alongside a visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders.
  • Bangladesh pressed for an apology or expression of regret for 1971 atrocities, settlement of pre‑independence assets, and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, while Dar said the matters were settled in 1974 and during Pervez Musharraf’s visit, a claim Dhaka rejected.
  • Connectivity proposals featured in the talks, including plans under discussion for direct Dhaka–Karachi flights as early as October via Fly Jinnah and potential PIA routes after privatisation, as well as broader facilitation for official travel.
  • Dar met leaders from the BNP, Jamaat‑e‑Islami and the National Citizen Party, and Yunus called for revitalising SAARC, with both governments agreeing to keep talking on historical disputes while expanding practical cooperation.