Ahead of the visit of Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka, scheduled in the second half of April - Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Asia and Pacific affairs) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs - arrived in Dhaka to hold meetings with a number of key government officials and preparations prior the high-level engagement.
The additional secretary is also the past immediate Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
However, prior his departure, Mr Siddiqui provided an exclusive interview to the Daily Observer on numerous issues ranging from bi-lateral ties, people-to-people contact, trade & commercial ties to going beyond state-to-state relations.
The interview has been conducted by our Editorial Chief, Shahriar Feroze
Daily Observer: Could you please share the main purpose of your visit to Bangladesh?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: My visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh by enhancing cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and defense sectors. I have engaged with senior officials to explore new avenues for collaboration and reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with Bangladesh.
DO: Bangladesh recently underwent a major political transition. How do you view the current interim government, led by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: We hold Chief Advisor His Excellency Professor Muhammad Yunus in high regards. He is a globally recognized figure, particularly for his contribution to uplifting marginalized communities. We extend our best wishes to the people of Bangladesh for a stable, prosperous, and harmonious future.
DO: How are recent political developments in Bangladesh expected to impact relations with Pakistan?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: Pakistan has always sought cooperative relations with successive governments in Bangladesh. Over the past seven months, our bilateral ties have seen several positive developments, including the revival of high-level engagements and initiatives to facilitate trade and travel. We are committed to building on this momentum to foster a stable and mutually beneficial partnership.
DO: How do you assess the current state of bilateral trade and economic cooperation?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: Bangladesh has emerged as Pakistan’s largest trading partner in South Asia. However, despite trade volumes hovering around one billion USD for the past few years, there remains significant untapped potential.
Recent months have seen encouraging progress. Direct maritime connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been restored, and discussions are underway to revive direct air links. On January 14, 2025, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed an MoU for the supply of white/parboiled rice under a government-to-government arrangement. This coincided with a visit by a delegation from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to Dhaka, where it was decided to establish a Joint Business Council.
We are also grateful to the Government of Bangladesh for waiving the 100% physical inspection requirement for cargo containers from Pakistan. These steps will facilitate increased trade and economic exchanges, benefiting both countries.
DO: What about future high-level political engagements? We hear that a visit by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to Dhaka is being planned.
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: High-level engagements have already gained momentum. In the past six months, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has held two bilateral meetings with Chief Advisor H.E. Professor Muhammad Yunus—on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York and the D-8 Summit in Cairo. Additionally, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Advisor H.E. Mr Md Touhid Hossain during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
These interactions have paved the way for a high-level bilateral visit. However, it would be more appropriate to share details once the visit program is finalized.
DO: Beyond state-to-state relations, what efforts are being made to enhance people-to-people contacts between the two nations?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: Cultural and social exchanges are vital in strengthening bilateral ties. We have seen growing enthusiasm for such interactions—popular Pakistani singers like Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have performed to packed audiences in Bangladesh, and there is increasing interest in reciprocal visits by Bangladeshi artists.
Additionally, we are pleased to see the Bangladeshi cricket team participating in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Academic and intellectual exchanges are also on the rise. These developments reflect a shared desire to foster deeper connections between our peoples.
DO: The AMAN naval exercise recently concluded in Karachi with the participation of the Bangladesh Navy. Could you share some details about this development?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: Yes, the AMAN exercise was successfully conducted, with the participation of a Bangladesh Navy ship alongside numerous other naval forces. We were also honored to host Bangladesh’s Naval Chief, Admiral M Nazmul Hasan, on this occasion. Earlier, we welcomed Lt. General S M Kamrul Hassan, the Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh’s Armed Forces Division, to Pakistan. These visits will pave the way for further exchanges in this field.
DO: You served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh until mid-2023. How was that experience?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: I cherish my time in Bangladesh. I had the opportunity to travel across the country, experience its rich culture, and forge meaningful friendships. It was heartening to witness the warmth and friendliness of the Bangladeshi people towards Pakistan.
DO: Lastly, what is your overall outlook on the future of Pakistan–Bangladesh relations?
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui: The outlook is highly positive. Pakistan remains committed to strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh across various sectors, including trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. With continued engagement and a forward-looking approach, both countries can establish a fruitful and enduring relationship that contributes to regional peace, development, and prosperity.
