Pakistan, Bangladesh Explore Trade, Education and Diplomatic Cooperation in Islamabad-Dhaka Reset
Independent report
LAHORE, November 13, 2026: Pakistan and Bangladesh have renewed opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations through expanded trade, educational partnerships, improved connectivity and diplomatic engagement, experts observed at a roundtable discussion held in Lahore.
The discussion, titled “The Islamabad-Dhaka Reset: Reshaping the Narrative through Trade, Media and Diplomacy”, was organised by the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, on November 11. Academics, intellectuals and experts from relevant fields participated in the discussion.
Dr Hassam Ahmed Siddiqi, Senior Research Associate at CASS Lahore, delivered the opening address.
Prof Dr Aalia Sohail Khan, Country Director of the American Institute of Pakistan Studies, emphasised the role of educational cooperation in rebuilding Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. She highlighted academic exchanges, joint research, student and faculty mobility, and institutional partnerships as practical avenues for strengthening bilateral engagement.
She stressed the need to move beyond formal agreements towards meaningful academic collaboration and stronger links between educational institutions and industry, creating opportunities for skills development and economic cooperation.
Raja Amer Iqbal, President of the District Board of Management of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), highlighted opportunities arising from Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape. He called for expanding bilateral trade, improving direct cargo links, encouraging joint ventures and exploring cooperation through the Bangladesh-China-Pakistan trilateral mechanism.
He identified non-tariff barriers, regulatory restrictions, customs delays and logistical difficulties as key challenges to trade expansion. He also emphasised private-sector participation, media cooperation and improved visa arrangements to facilitate closer engagement between the two countries.
In his concluding remarks, CASS Lahore Director Dr Shahid Razzaque highlighted the importance of institutional cooperation, trade facilitation, maritime connectivity, direct air links and private-sector engagement in building stronger bilateral ties.
He also underlined the role of responsible media, academic and cultural exchanges, and sustained people-to-people contacts in promoting mutual understanding and a constructive public narrative.
He observed that cooperation based on mutual trust could pave the way for a sustainable partnership between Pakistan and Bangladesh and contribute to a more stable and prosperous South Asia.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion on practical measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation, improve mutual understanding and establish lasting institutional linkages. Participants appreciated CASS Lahore’s initiative in bringing together experts for an engaging discussion on the future of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.
