United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Pakistan agreed to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation across key sectors including trade, agriculture, information technology, food, energy and connectivity, following the 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Dhaka on Monday, the first in two decades. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed led the Bangladesh delegation, while the Pakistani side was headed by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. The last JEC meeting between the two countries took place in 2005. Describing the Dhaka meeting as ‘remarkable and successful’, Dr Salehuddin said the discussions focused on areas that would benefit the people of both nations. “Our cooperation should not be limited to bilateral issues only; we should also move toward regional cooperation. If countries in South Asia can collaborate in this way, it will be better for everyone,” he said. Pakistan keen to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh: Visiting CJCSC The Adviser said the meeting addressed a wide range of issues, including trade, commerce, agriculture, IT and food security. He said focal points would be designated in relevant ministries, including Civil Aviation and Maritime Affairs, to follow up on aviation, shipping, and logistics cooperation. Responding to a question about the potential target of reaching a three-billion-dollar trade volume, Dr Salehuddin said it was too early to specify any figure. “These are mainly MoUs that have been signed, and the respective ministries will now take them forward,” he said. Pakistani Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s hospitality and said holding the JEC meeting after 20 years was ‘significant’. “We want to build on this positive momentum for the mutual benefit of both countries,” he said, adding that Pakistan would explore new cooperation areas in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, power and energy. He said the current trade volume between the two countries is below one billion dollars, which should increase given their complementary economies. “We have identified various areas of cooperation, and by the next meeting, we hope to show measurable progress,” Malik said. Both sides expressed optimism that the revived JEC platform would help unlock new opportunities and deepen bilateral and regional economic ties in the coming years.    

Amid occasional tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi since the Awami League regime’s fall last year, Pakistan has been actively reaching out to Bangladesh through frequent visits, seeking to strengthen bilateral ties despite unresolved historical issues since 1971. Bangladesh witnessed a series of visits from Pakistan in recent months with ongoing official visit of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan who began his interactions in Dhaka on Thursday. On the other hand, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain is set to welcome his Pakistani counterpart Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday. At the invitation of Bangladesh, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar will pay an official visit to Bangladesh on August 23-24. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will hold meetings with various Bangladeshi leaders, including Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Adviser Hossain, a senior official told UNB. His previous scheduled visit to Bangladesh in April was postponed amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. The whole range of bilateral relations and a number of regional and international issues will be discussed during these meetings. In a latest development, diplomatic and official passport holders of Bangladesh and Pakistan will now be able to travel to each other’s countries without visas. The Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, approved a draft agreement to this effect at its weekly meeting on Thursday. 1971 Issues on Table During Foreign Secretary-level talks in Dhaka on April 17, Bangladesh raised historical unsettled issues with Pakistan, including a formal public apology for the atrocities committed against Bangladesh during the 1971 War of Liberation by the Pakistan forces and pending financial claims from Pakistan. Bangladesh thinks these issues need to be resolved for having a solid foundation of the relations. Bangladesh keeps demanding a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani armed forces in 1971, stressing that all the unresolved historical issues must be addressed to put the relations between Dhaka and Islamabad on solid foundation.  . Bangladesh raised the historically unresolved issues with Pakistan such as repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, Bangladesh's fair share of undivided wealth – US$ 4.32 billion, transfer of foreign aid funds sent to the victims of the 1970 cyclone, and a formal apology for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani armed forces in 1971. Bangladesh, Pakistan to allow visa-free entry for govt officials Bangladesh seeks Pakistan's cooperation in building a 'strong, welfare-oriented and forward-looking' relationship with Pakistan by resolving the existing historical unresolved issues at the earliest and emphasised on working together towards this end. Referring to 1971 issues with Pakistan, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said each issue would be on the table for discussions as plans to hold bilateral talks with the his Pakistan counterpart on August 24. "Each issue will be on the table," Adviser Hossain told reporters when asked whether Bangladesh will raise the issues of seeking public apology by Pakistan and due compensation. The iinterim government says it is approaching in a "pragmatic way" in terms of its relations with Pakistan, stressing that everything will be on the table for discussion with Pakistan. Bangladesh sees willingness from the Pakistan side to remain engaged on those issues as the talks began between Dhaka and Islamabad after 15 years. Business Leaders Push for Closer Trade Ties Pakistan’s Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan paid a courtesy visit to the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), where he met its President Taskeen Ahmed. During the meeting, Ahmed highlighted strong cultural and lifestyle similarities between the two nations, noting Bangladesh’s significant demand for Pakistani textiles and jewelry. He urged greater government support for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Pakistan to boost bilateral trade and investment. He further suggested that direct passenger and cargo flights would significantly improve business connectivity. Collaborations in Food Security Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar on Thursday and discussed possible collaborations in food security. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the MoU on rice trade between Trading Corporation of Pakistan and the Directorate General of Food, Bangladesh - signed in January 2025, under which Pakistan has delivered 50,000 MT of rice. Pakistan to start direct flights with Bangladesh by end of 2025 It was agreed that the MoU will work as a gateway for regular exchanges of delegations on both government-to- government and business-to-business levels for enhancing the trade of essential commodities. Pakistan said the upcoming 3rd International Food and Agricultural Exhibition (FoodAg) which is being held in Karachi on November 25–27 provides an opportunity for Bangladeshi businesses and government officials to have an in-depth understanding of Pakistan’s agricultural landscape.   The adviser and the minister stressed the need for enhancing the yield of crops by improving agricultural practices to meet the growing demands of food commodities in both countries. Connectivity Recognising connectivity as a priority, Bangladesh and Pakistan have already welcomed the launch of direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong, and emphasised the importance of resuming direct air links. They also expressed satisfaction over the progress made in easing travel and visa facilitation. Direct container shipping between Karachi Port and Chattogram began in mid-November. On its maiden voyage, the service transported 370 single containers, with 297 originating from Pakistan and the rest from the UAE. Cultural Links Reflecting a warm relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan, Dhaka has recently seen an increasing presence of Pakistani artists. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan reveals how he learned Bangla  Dhaka's audience enjoyed performance by celebrated Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at a concert held at the Army Stadium last year. In this shifting political landscape, Pakistani pop-rock band Jal also returned to Dhaka after more than a decade to perform at the 'Legends of the Decade' concert recently. Similarly, in November, renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam—adored by Bangladeshi fans—also performed in Dhaka. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, widely admired for a number of his iconic tracks like 'Afreen Afreen', 'O Re Piya', and 'Jiya Dhadak Dhadak', performed at the 'Echoes of Revolution' concert organised by the Spirits of July platform.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday (August 23) for a two-day official visit, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan issued on Friday. The visit is being made at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the statement said. During his stay from August 23–24, the Deputy Prime Minister will hold high-level meetings with several Bangladeshi leaders, including Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md. Touhid Hossain. Discussions will cover the full range of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement added. Referring to 1971 issues with Pakistan, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Aug 4, said each issue would be on the table for discussions as Dhaka is set to receive his Pakistani counterpart on August 23. "Each issue will be on the table," Adviser Hossain told reporters when asked whether Bangladesh will raise the issues of seeking public apology by Pakistan and due compensation. Hossain said the interim government is approaching in a "pragmatic way" in terms of its relations with Pakistan, stressing that everything will be on the table for discussion during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar's visit. Ishaq Dar's previous scheduled visit to Bangladesh in April was postponed amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. “Owing to unforeseen circumstances, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan is unable to undertake the visit to Bangladesh on 27-28 April 2025,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan at that time. Pakistan to start direct flights with Bangladesh by end of 2025 Later, the two sides finalised new date through mutual consultations. In July last week, Bangladesh and Pakistan expressed deep concern over the ongoing Israeli aggression and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Palestine, reiterating their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause. The message was conveyed during a meeting between Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain, held on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations. This was their fourth meeting since October 2024. They also reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political, economic and cultural cooperation, while exploring ways to enhance connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka said.

Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bowl first in the opening match of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Mirpur on Sunday.  Bangladesh just came home after a long Sri Lanka tour, where they lost the Test and ODI series, but won the T20I series.  The hosts made one change to their last playing XI that faced Sri Lanka, bringing Taskin Ahmed in to replace Shoriful Islam.  Pakistan has been one of the most consistent teams in the T20I. In the last meeting, they beat Bangladesh at home. Now, they are at the home of the Tigers. Series-winning team retained as Bangladesh announce T20I squad for Pakistan Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed Bangladesh XI: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman//

The three-match T20 series between Bangladesh and Pakistan begins Sunday evening, with the first game scheduled to start at 6 pm at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The remaining two matches will be played at the same venue on July 22 and 24. Both teams have completed their preparations over the past few days, and fans are now waiting for the on-field contest between Litton Das’s Bangladesh and Agha Salman’s Pakistan. Supporters who want to enjoy the match from the stands can purchase tickets online. Prices range from Tk 300 for the eastern gallery to Tk 3,500 for the international lounge. For those unable to attend in person, the matches will be broadcast live on television and streamed online. In Bangladesh, T Sports and Nagorik TV will air the matches live. Captains speak of lofty aims as Bangladesh and Pakistan resume T20 rivalry Along with these, the T Sports app and Tapmad app will offer live streaming for mobile viewers. Cricket fans outside Bangladesh can also follow the action. In Pakistan, A Sports and Ten Sports will broadcast the matches, with the Tamasha app offering live streams. Viewers in North America can watch on Willow TV, while fans in Africa can tune into SuperSport. In the Middle East and North Africa, Cricbuzz will provide streaming coverage.

Shadab Khan delivered a notable all-round performance, and Hasan Ali bagged five wickets as Pakistan began their T20I series vs Bangladesh with a 37-run win at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night. After opting to bat first, Pakistan overcame a shaky start to post a formidable 201 for 7 in their 20 overs. Skipper Agha Salman (56 off 34) and Shadab Khan (48 off 25) led the charge with quickfire knocks, supported by Hasan Nawaz’s explosive 44 off 22 balls. Despite early strikes by Shoriful Islam and Mahedi Hasan, Pakistan recovered from 5 for 2 to dominate the middle overs. Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with leg-spinner Rishad Hossain proving expensive, conceding 55 in his four overs. First T20: Pakistan recover from early loss of 2 wickets against Bangladesh in Lahore Shoriful picked up two wickets but lacked consistent support. Chasing a stiff target of 202, Bangladesh showed promise early on through Tanzid Hasan’s brisk 31 and captain Litton Das’s 48 off 30 balls. However, the innings faltered after Litton’s dismissal at 100 in the 12th over. The middle and lower order collapsed under pressure, with only Jaker Ali (36 off 20) offering resistance. Hasan Ali was the best bowler for the hosts, claiming a match-winning 5 for 30 in 3.2 overs, including key wickets at the death. Shadab added two wickets and two catches to his batting exploits, earning him the Player of the Match award. Bangladesh were bowled out for 164 in 19.2 overs, handing Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The three-match T20I series between hosts Pakistan and touring Bangladesh begins on Wednesday (May 28) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The evening match between two teams will kick-off at 9 pm Bangladesh time. Bangladeshi sports channel T- Sports and Pakistani sports channel  Ten Sports and A Sports will telecast all  the matches live. Liton Das -led Bangladesh team will try their best to come back in the series forgetting their frustrating 1-2 series defeat against ICC Associate member and hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the middle of this month despite winning the first match comfortably. BPL Football : Dhaka Abahani Ltd finish runners- up outplaying Brothers Union Club by 3-0 goal Bangladesh will play their remaining two T20 matches against Pakistan on May 30 and June 1, also at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The two teams faced each other on 19 occasions where Pakistan won 16 times and Bangladesh won the rest three matches. Bangladesh national team never beat Pakistan team since 2016 and Pakistan beat Bangladesh by five wickets in their last match in the T20 World Cup in Adelaide, Australia in 2022. Bangladesh Pacer Mustafizur Rahman and opener Soumya Sarkar missed the series due to injury and all rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz,and Syed Khalid Ahmed replaced them in the squad. Pakistani celebrated bowler Shaheen Afridi given rest in the Bangladesh series while former captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not considered for series.

The ongoing cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan have cast a shadow over the Bangladesh cricket team’s upcoming tour of Pakistan. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, said they had not yet decided to postpone the tour. On Tuesday night, India launched missile strikes at different locations in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, which indicates a broader conflict in the region. Bangladesh team is scheduled to travel to the UAE on May 14 for a short T20 series, after which they are slated to fly to Lahore and Faisalabad for a five-match T20 series against Pakistan A. Given the current security concerns, the BCB held an emergency meeting Wednesday evening to assess the situation. BCB president Faruq Ahmed said no immediate decision has been made to cancel the tour, but the board will continue monitoring developments until May 10. He added that the BCB hopes the situation will stabilise before the team’s scheduled travel. Tensions soar as Pakistan vows retaliation over Indian strikes The board is also concerned about Bangladeshi players Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, currently playing in the Pakistan Super League. Both players have informed the board they are safe. The BCB remains in close contact with the PSL and their respective franchises. The UAE leg of the tour may also be reconsidered, as the T20 series there was arranged with Pakistan in mind. If the Pakistan tour is canceled, playing in the UAE’s extreme May heat might not be deemed worthwhile, officials hinted.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday said he conveyed to Pakistan that Bangladesh seeks peace and wants to avoid any form of conflict in the region. Touhid Hossain highlighted the importance of dialogue in finding a solution to any problem during his telephone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart. "Since the Pakistan Foreign Minister phoned me, I told him we want peace. We don’t want to see any conflict here," Hossain told reporters when asked about his conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday night. Asked whether the message would be conveyed to India, Hossain replied, “If India wants to know anything from me, I will tell Delhi exactly the same thing. I don’t need to say anything in advance.” The Foreign Adviser said the Pakistani Foreign Minister called to brief him on the steps Islamabad has taken following recent developments in the region. “He did not ask for support or any particular reaction. I simply said that peace needs to prevail, and steps should be taken to deescalate tensions. No incident should take place that can escalate the tensions. It is our expectation. We want a solution to any problem through dialogue,” said the Foreign Adviser. Prof Yunus urges young people to participate more in politics The Foreign Adviser, during the telephone conversation, expressed concern regarding the current situation in the region and stressed the importance of exercising restraint by all parties. Hossain also emphasised the need for de-escalation, according to the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan shared the information through its X handle at 10:41pm on Monday. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister briefed the Adviser on the escalating regional tensions resulting from India's unfounded allegations and unilateral measures, including its arbitrary decision to suspend provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.  Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations and emphasised the need for maintaining regular high-level engagements. They also discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation on regional and multilateral fora.

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder has said the best option to resolve historical unsettled issues is obviously talks, and this is exactly what the interim government is trying to do with Pakistan. "It has brought Pakistan to talks after long years and duly raised the issues while at the same time looking forward to exploring trade and commerce potential for mutual benefits," he said, stressing that there are many instances globally of former enemies turning into allies. It is perhaps time for Bangladesh and Pakistan to move on and work together to resolve the past issues for future benefits, Azad said, adding that distancing from one neighbour to keep another happy cannot be the foreign policy of an independent nation. One of the emotive issues, of course hindering Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, is Bangladesh’s demand for an apology from Pakistan for the genocide and atrocities committed by its armed forces in 1971, Azad said sharing his brief analysis on the just-held talks between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Even many in Pakistan’s civil society, media and intelligentsia believed that an apology would be an act of goodwill and grace, but the country’s Foreign Office and the military bureaucracy were always opposed to such an idea, and thus a formal apology never came, said the DPS. Bangladesh also pressed for the issue of division of assets, which was a forgotten matter for the past regimes, who preferred disengagement to talks.  According to an estimate, Bangladesh has a claim of at least US$ 4.32 billion as of 1974. The estimate was based on assumptions with respect to internal capital creation, external debt settlement, and retention of external financial assets, Azad said. Bangladesh has an additional claim of approximately US$ 200 million, which was donated by foreign countries/agencies for the cyclone victims of the then East Pakistan in November 1970. Foreign Adviser calls for addressing expat issues at home before their arrival in destination countries The money was lying in the office of the State Bank of Pakistan in Dhaka before it was transferred to the Lahore Branch of the State Bank of Pakistan during our war of liberation in 1971. The repatriation of stranded Pakistanis was another issue that hindered the relationship between the two countries. In the past, Pakistan only took back around 125,000 of its people, but some 325,000 are housed in 79 camps in 14 districts of Bangladesh, Azad said in a post from his Facebook account. These are the issues that continued to remain as barriers in order to move towards a healthy and forward-looking bilateral relationship between the two countries, he said. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, during his meeting with his counterpart Shehbaz Sharif in Egypt earlier this year, spoke about the need for resolving the outstanding issues, and on Thursday, while holding a meeting with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch at the State Guest House Jamuna, reiterated his call. But, in the same meeting, Azad said, Dr Yunus insisted on a sound relationship with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, to tap into the huge economic potential of the region. "There are many instances of former enemies turning into allies. France and England fought countless wars for centuries, but joined hands in the Second World War," he said. The US bombed Japan in the same war, but later turned it into an ally, Azad mentioned. He recalled a question that they faced about whether Bangladesh is shifting its foreign policy to be pro-Pakistan. "It did not surprise us at all. There will always be some people who will rarely believe in Bangladesh’s independent identity," Azad said. "Our response was obvious. Irrespective of whatever happened in the past with regard to the country’s foreign policy, it will be a pro-Bangladesh policy from now on, driven by our own interest," he added. It took the interim government less than 24 hours to translate its words into action by reminding Amna Baloch, the foreign secretary of Pakistan, the outstanding issues between the two countries, while at the same time agreeing to work together for mutual benefits.