Pakistan Bangladesh Ahsan Iqbal Tarique Rahman South Asia Cooperation SAARC — Ahsan Iqbal meets Tarique Rahman in Dhaka to strengthen bilateral relations.

Pakistan invites Bangladesh PM in first official engagement

Pakistan invites Bangladesh PM, offers scholarships, knowledge corridor, and stronger regional cooperation to rebuild trust and future economic partnership together.

By Fahad On Feb 18, 2026

Pakistan & Bangladish – (Web Desk) – Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, has formally invited Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, to visit Pakistan on a suitable date, according to an official statement issued Tuesday.

Representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iqbal met Rahman in Dhaka after his oath-taking ceremony and congratulated him on his election victory. The two leaders held talks on improving bilateral ties and boosting regional collaboration.

🇵🇰🇧🇩 Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Meets Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman, Representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Extends Official Invitation to Bangladeshi Prime Minister to Visit Pakistan 🤝

Shared history. Shared aspirations. Shared future.#Pakistan #Bangladesh #Diplomacy… pic.twitter.com/QJw9O5t5Bc

— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) February 17, 2026

Iqbal also stressed the need to revive South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, saying stronger regional connectivity and economic cooperation are essential. He noted that past conflicts have prevented South Asia from achieving its full integration and shared economic potential.

The minister also proposed the creation of a “Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor” to boost academic, research, and technological collaboration.

He informed the Bangladeshi prime minister that Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) would explore twin-university agreements and promote student and faculty exchanges.

Iqbal announced that 500 scholarships have been allocated for Bangladeshi students, with 75 already enrolled in Pakistani institutions.

Both sides discussed institutional cooperation between bodies such as the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), NADRA, and their Bangladeshi counterparts to share expertise in data systems, digital governance, and capacity building.

Opportunities for collaboration in SMEs, cottage industries, and trade, including direct flight operations to boost connectivity, were also explored.

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During the meeting, Iqbal also proposed reviving the Iqbal Academy and suggested joint celebrations for the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal next year to underscore shared cultural and intellectual heritage.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and working together for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.