DHAKA: In a significant step toward enhancing diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh has agreed to grant visa-free entry to holders of Pakistani diplomatic and official passports. The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, in Dhaka.
This landmark decision will allow Pakistani diplomats and government officials with official or diplomatic passports to enter Bangladesh without requiring a visa—an arrangement that is expected to facilitate smoother diplomatic exchanges and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Minister Naqvi received a warm welcome at the Bangladeshi Ministry of Home Affairs, where he was presented with a guard of honour. During the meeting, Minister Chowdhury described Naqvi’s visit as a crucial step in promoting deeper ties between the two South Asian nations. “I wholeheartedly welcome my brother upon his arrival in Dhaka. Your visit is of great importance for the promotion of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations,” he stated.
Beyond the visa agreement, the two sides also discussed broader collaboration in internal security, police training, and institutional cooperation. Both ministers agreed to intensify efforts in areas such as counterterrorism, cybercrime, and capacity building of law enforcement agencies.
As part of this broader cooperation, the two countries have decided to establish a joint committee to promote sustained bilateral engagement. The committee will be led on the Pakistani side by Federal Interior Secretary Khurram Agha.
In addition, a high-level Bangladeshi delegation is scheduled to visit Islamabad in the near future. The delegation will tour Pakistan’s Safe City Project—an initiative aimed at enhancing urban security through technology—and visit the National Police Academy to explore training opportunities.
The latest developments signal a renewed commitment from both Islamabad and Dhaka to rebuild trust and expand cooperation across diplomatic, security, and institutional domains.
