Bangladesh ends visa requirement for Pakistani officials

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has lifted the visa requirement for Pakistani officials for the first time since 1971, under a new agreement that will remain effective for five years.

According to foreign media reports, holders of diplomatic and official passports from both Bangladesh and Pakistan will now be able to travel between the two countries without a visa.

The mutual visa exemption agreement was approved by Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Islam, in a news conference held in Dhaka, stated that Bangladesh has similar agreements with 31 other countries.

Under the new accord, Pakistani officials will also be allowed entry into Bangladesh without a visa. The agreement will remain in force for five years.

This development follows a meeting held last month in Dhaka between Bangladesh’s Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

During the meeting, both sides had announced the finalization of a visa-on-arrival arrangement for holders of official passports.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has departed for a two-day official visit to Bangladesh.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh. During his stay in Dhaka, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will hold important meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership.

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said that this is the first visit of any Pakistani Foreign Minister after 13 years.