Bangladesh-Pakistan approve visa-free entry for each other's govt officials
Bangladesh and Pakistan have taken a step toward easing diplomatic engagement by approving a draft agreement that would allow government officials and diplomats from both countries to travel without visas.
The decision was endorsed on Wednesday at the weekly meeting of the interim government’s advisory council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, according to a statement from the Cabinet Division.
Under the agreement, holders of diplomatic and official passports from both nations will be granted visa-free entry, a move aimed at facilitating smoother communication and official exchanges between Dhaka and Islamabad.
Analysts note that while trade and political ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan have often been strained due to historical tensions dating back to the 1971 Liberation War, such steps could signal a gradual attempt to normalize relations. In recent month, both governments have cautiously engaged in limited cooperation, particularly in multilateral forums like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Officials in Dhaka said the deal would bring Bangladesh in line with similar reciprocal visa exemptions it already maintains with several other countries, streamlining travel for diplomats and reducing bureaucratic hurdles in regional diplomacy.
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