Pakistan, Bangladesh agree to boost trade, business, cultural ties

Naqvi meets Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs as both sides agree to boost ties

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Bangladesh's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) posted on X.

وفاقی وزیرداخلہ و نارکوٹکس کنٹرول محسن نقوی سے بنگلہ دیش کی وزیر مملکت برائے خارجہ امور شمع عبید اسلام کی ملاقات
دوطرفہ تعلقات۔خطے کی صورتحال اور پاکستان کے مصالحتی کردار پر تفصیلی تبادلہ خیال pic.twitter.com/2MrUlTon6m

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 10, 2026

According to the ministry, both undertook a "detailed exchange of views on bilateral relations, the regional situation, and Pakistan's reconciliatory role." Minister Islam appreciated Pakistan's role in the United States-Iran conflict.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, business, and culture. It was also agreed to increase mutual exchanges of delegations for the promotion of trade and cultural relations.

"There are vast opportunities for investment in Pakistan," Naqvi said in the meeting.

بنگلہ دیش کے وزیر خارجہ کے پاکستان کے دورے کے حوالے سے بھی گفتگو
پاکستان میں سرمایہ کاری کے وسیع مواقع موجود ہیں۔ محسن نقوی

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 10, 2026

Further, discussions were also held regarding the visit of the Bangladeshi minister to Pakistan.

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Director General South Asia Ishrat Jahan, Director Shamima Yasmin, and Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider were also present on the occasion, the MoI stated.

بنگلہ دیشی وزارت خارجہ کے سیکرٹر ی محمد نذر الاسلام۔ ڈائریکٹر جنرل جنوبی ایشیا عشرت جہاں۔ ڈائریکٹر شمیمہ یاسمین۔ پاکستانی ہائی کمشنر عمران حیدر بھی اس موقع پر موجود تھے

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 10, 2026

The meeting comes as part of Naqvi's two-day visit to Bangladesh and a day after he met his Bangladeshi counterpart, Salahuddin Ahmed. The two signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating drug smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and drug abuse. Both sides also agreed to boost security ties.

Read: Pakistan-Bangladesh trade hits $1b mark

The formulation of a joint strategy to disrupt the illegal sale and supply lines of narcotics was also agreed to, along with the exchange of timely information by relevant agencies of both countries regarding drug smugglers and networks.

Further, an agreement was reached on the shared training of personnel, use of modern technology, and the establishment of a secretary-level joint working group between the two interior ministries to take cooperation forward.

The development has come against the backdrop of a broader recalibration in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Since then, ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have shown signs of gradual transformation after decades of limited engagement, particularly in the domain of defence and security.

Read More: How Pakistan is winning back Bangladesh

While Bangladesh's relations with India, traditionally its closest regional partner, have remained strained amid political and strategic differences, Dhaka has quietly explored new avenues of cooperation with Pakistan.

In January, Pakistan and Bangladesh took a step towards deepening defence cooperation as a high-level Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) delegation, led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, held talks with Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters with discussions also covering the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft.

Earlier, in February, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rehman discussed strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across various sectors.

In August of 2025, the two countries also signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchanges, marking a significant step in efforts to reset relations after years of strained ties.