Pakistan has launched a new initiative called the “Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor,” coinciding with the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh. The program is aimed at expanding educational and professional cooperation between the two countries, fostering closer ties through opportunities in higher education and skill development.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative includes the provision of 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students over the next five years. These scholarships will enable students from Bangladesh to pursue higher studies in Pakistan across a range of academic disciplines.
Significantly, a quarter of these scholarships will be reserved for medical studies, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector and Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in this crucial field.
In addition to scholarships, the initiative extends to capacity-building measures for Bangladeshi civil servants. Pakistan will organize training programs for 100 officials from Bangladesh during the same five-year period.
These training sessions are expected to enhance professional skills, strengthen institutional linkages, and provide Bangladeshi civil servants exposure to Pakistan’s administrative practices and governance systems. Such initiatives are seen as an important means of sharing expertise, building mutual understanding, and promoting cooperation at the institutional level.
Furthermore, the number of scholarships under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program, which has been an ongoing component of bilateral cooperation, has been increased fivefold. Previously, five Bangladeshi students were offered scholarships under the program, but this number has now been raised to twenty-five.
This step signals a broader effort by Islamabad to expand educational outreach and support for Bangladeshi youth, particularly in technical and professional fields.
The Knowledge Corridor is expected to play an important role in deepening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh. By investing in the education and training of students and professionals, both countries aim to build long-term goodwill, enhance mutual trust, and strengthen bilateral relations.
This initiative also highlights Pakistan’s willingness to broaden engagement with Bangladesh beyond political and economic areas, placing a strong emphasis on human resource development and cultural exchange.
