Diplomatic Desk:
Imran Haider, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Md. Ismail Zabiullah—the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration (holding the rank of Minister) and a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee. The meeting took place on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) at the Adviser’s office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, with a three-member delegation led by the High Commissioner.
During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, expanding trade, and exploring new avenues for mutual cooperation in sectors such as education, training, healthcare, and industry.
Both sides expressed interest in establishing joint-venture manufacturing facilities for sports equipment, involving prominent sports goods producers from Sialkot, Pakistan. The discussions covered the potential for producing various types of sports equipment—including tennis balls—as well as technology transfer, skills development, and the enhancement of local production capacity. Furthermore, interest was shown in facilitating the exchange of experiences and training opportunities for athletes from both nations. Emphasis was placed on fostering communication and taking necessary steps among the relevant institutions to realize these goals.
The Government of Pakistan has also expressed interest in signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between relevant training institutions in Bangladesh and their Pakistani counterparts to enhance the skills of government officials and facilitate the exchange of professional experience. The Pakistani High Commissioner indicated that Pakistan is keen to establish MoUs between the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) and Pakistan’s National School of Public Policy (NSPP), as well as between the Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy (BCSAA) and Pakistan’s Civil Services Academy (CSA). He further noted that 12 Bangladeshi government officials have already completed training in Pakistan, with another 35 currently in the process of undergoing training. He expressed optimism that such initiatives—by fostering mutual understanding and the exchange of experience among government officials—could play a significant role in reducing the trade deficit and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the Advisor recalled the ‘inter-wing’ scholarship program that existed for students between East and West Pakistan prior to the War of Independence.
Regarding the expansion of trade, the High Commissioner noted that Pakistan has allocated a duty-free import quota for 10,000 metric tons of tea from Bangladesh annually. He mentioned that there is significant potential to increase Bangladeshi tea exports to the Pakistani market. Discussions also covered the prospects for exporting pineapples and shrimp from Bangladesh. Both sides emphasized the importance of taking necessary initiatives to expand trade in these products.
As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in the health sector, the Pakistani High Commissioner expressed an interest in providing free liver transplant surgeries for 10 Bangladeshi patients annually at the ‘Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre.’ Furthermore, he proposed offering training to Bangladeshi doctors and nurses in the field of liver transplantation. It is expected that this initiative will enhance mutual cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the medical field between the two nations. The discussion also touched upon the potential for exchanging medical services and expanding medical tourism. Additionally, the High Commissioner highlighted opportunities for increased collaboration in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, the jute industry, education, and aviation. He reiterated a keen interest in sharing expertise across various sectors and expanding trade.
The Pakistani High Commissioner remarked that the resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi—after a 14-year hiatus—would play a vital role in fostering greater people-to-people contact and strengthening bilateral relations. During the meeting, both sides expressed their commitment to leveraging cooperation in areas of mutual interest to boost trade and investment, thereby injecting new momentum into the relationship between the two countries.
