Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has formally invited Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient date, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
Iqbal, representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, met Rahman in Dhaka after his oath-taking ceremony and conveyed warm congratulations on his election victory.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed measures to strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh bilateral relations and enhance broader regional cooperation.
Iqbal emphasised the importance of reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to improve regional connectivity and promote a shared geo-economic vision for South Asia. He noted that decades of historical conflicts have left the region among the least integrated in the world.
The minister also proposed establishing a “Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor” aimed at expanding academic, research and technological collaboration between the two countries.
He said Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission would explore twin-university agreements and encourage greater student and faculty exchanges. Iqbal announced that Pakistan has allocated 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students, with 75 already enrolled in Pakistani institutions.
Both sides also discussed institutional cooperation between organisations such as the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, NADRA, and their Bangladeshi counterparts to share expertise in digital governance, data systems and capacity building.
Opportunities for collaboration in small and medium enterprises, cottage industries and trade were also explored, including the possibility of direct flight operations to boost connectivity.
Iqbal further proposed reviving the Iqbal Academy and suggested joint celebrations for the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal next year, highlighting the shared cultural and intellectual heritage of the two nations.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and working together for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
