Bangladesh marks 54th National Day

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance diplomatic and economic ties, Bangladesh and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during a reception hosted by the Bangladesh Mission in Karachi to mark the 54th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh. Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi highlighted the growing cooperation between the two nations and called for broadening mutually beneficial engagement across sectors.

He stated, “There is tremendous potential for expanding and deepening ties between our countries for the benefit of both peoples.” Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani attended the event as Guest of Honour, alongside Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Husain Khan, consuls general from various countries, diplomats, lawmakers, business leaders, cultural figures, and media representatives.

The Deputy High Commissioner showcased Bangladesh’s impressive development trajectory, noting that it ranks among the five fastest-growing economies globally. He described Bangladesh as a land of religious harmony and deep-rooted cultural heritage. “It’s a green country, the largest delta in the world, and a production powerhouse,” he said.

He noted that Bangladesh is currently the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments and the eighth largest recipient of annual remittances—amounting to over $25 billion. In March 2025 alone, the country received more than $3 billion in remittances. Its total exports have surpassed $55 billion, and the economy is on track to becoming a trillion-dollar economy in the coming years. The diplomat also emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to global peace and humanitarian efforts, citing its role as the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions and its decision to shelter over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Discussing the steady progress in bilateral ties, he mentioned multiple high-level interactions in recent months.

Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met during the UN General Assembly in New York (September 2024) and the D-8 Summit in Cairo (December 2024), along with follow-up phone calls aimed at deepening economic and cultural collaboration. The diplomat further noted the 6th Round of Foreign Secretary-Level Consultations between the two countries held in Dhaka on April 17, 2025, where Foreign Secretaries Ambassador Jashim Uddin and Ambassador Amna Baloch led discussions on key issues of mutual interest.

He also announced that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in the last week of April 2025, which is expected to further cement bilateral cooperation.

Trade and connectivity have seen notable advances, with a direct container shipping route between Karachi and Chittagong becoming operational in November 2024. Direct air travel between the two countries is also expected to resume shortly. Delegations from various Pakistani organizations, including FPCCI, TDAP, TCP, and cultural troupes, have visited Bangladesh in recent months.

The Deputy High Commissioner emphasized that Bangladesh offers a highly favorable environment for foreign investment and invited more Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in sectors such as garments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, leather goods, ceramics, plastics, tea, and jute products.

A Pakistani delegation also participated in the Bangladesh Investment Summit held in Dhaka from April 7 to 10, 2025. The diplomat concluded by inviting more tourists and business groups from Pakistan to visit Bangladesh, citing its natural attractions like Cox’s Bazar—the world’s longest uninterrupted beach—and the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. He assured that visa facilitation and official coordination for Pakistani visitors would be prioritized.