Dhaka, August 24, 2025 – In a development being described as “historic,” Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka on Saturday for a three-day official visit. This is the first high-level Pakistani foreign ministry visit to Bangladesh in over a decade, reviving speculation about whether Islamabad will finally apologize for its role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The last such visit was in 2012, when Hina Rabbani Khar traveled to Dhaka.
Tour Was Postponed Earlier
Dar was originally scheduled to visit Dhaka in April, but the plan was postponed following the Pahalgam attack in India, which heightened regional tensions. Now, with a change in Bangladesh’s political landscape after the departure of Sheikh Hasina and the interim government under Mohammad Yunus, Pakistan is seeking renewed engagement.
Meetings With Political Parties
Soon after his arrival, Dar met with leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP). According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Dar praised the reformist and youth-driven vision of the NCP, calling for stronger political dialogue.
The NCP emphasized the importance of resolving the 1971 issue to move forward, while Jamaat-e-Islami echoed the demand for addressing “unresolved matters.” A meeting with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected on Sunday evening.
1971 War Issue Back in Spotlight
The central question remains whether Pakistan will publicly apologize for its actions during the 1971 war, when atrocities committed by the Pakistani army left deep scars in Bangladesh. Former diplomats in Dhaka, including M. Humayun Kabir, argue that meaningful progress in bilateral ties cannot occur until Pakistan takes responsibility.
Bangladesh has previously raised the demand for both an apology and compensation worth $4.32 billion, but Pakistan’s statements have avoided addressing unresolved issues. Former envoy Rashid Ahmed Chaudhary stressed that reconciliation requires Pakistan to acknowledge the 1971 massacres.
Agreements on the Table
Six agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are reportedly being finalized during Dar’s visit. These cover issues such as visa waivers for officials and diplomats, as well as strategies for expanding trade and economic cooperation.
India’s Growing Unease
Analysts note that India is closely watching the visit. Relations between New Delhi and Islamabad remain tense after clashes in May, and the strengthening of Pakistan-Bangladesh ties could alter South Asia’s geopolitical balance.
According to political analyst Leela Jansito, India is uneasy about Dhaka’s recent tilt towards Pakistan under interim Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus, who has taken decisions that New Delhi views as unfavorable.
American analyst Michael Kugelman described the visit as a “major geopolitical event” for South Asia, noting that relations between Dhaka and Islamabad were effectively frozen under Hasina’s Awami League government. He cautioned, however, that the real impact will be seen only after Bangladesh’s elections in February 2026.
A Critical Moment in South Asia
For Bangladesh, the visit represents a potential reset in relations with Pakistan, though the shadow of 1971 continues to loom large. For India, it signals a possible shift in Dhaka’s foreign policy orientation, raising new strategic challenges in the region.
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