Latest news with #Pakistan-Bangladesh
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, BD vow to deepen bilateral ties
Pakistan and Bangladesh have pledged to strengthen bilateral relations after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Bangladesh's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hussain, on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations in New York on Monday. This marks the fourth high-level interaction between the two countries since October 2024, indicating a renewed momentum in Pakistan-Bangladesh ties following years of strain. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing political, economic and cultural cooperation. They also agreed to promote connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, with plans to facilitate high-level bilateral visits in the near future. Both sides expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli military aggression against Palestinians. They underscored their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and stressed the need for meaningful outcomes from the ongoing conference on the two-state solution. Ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have witnessed a notable thaw since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August last year, which had long maintained a tough posture on Pakistan over historical grievances. The change in government in Dhaka has allowed for more pragmatic and forward-looking engagement between the two South Asian Muslim-majority nations. Last week, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Dhaka, where he held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Lt Gen (R) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The two sides reached a landmark agreement to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports – a move widely seen as symbolic of growing mutual trust and a step toward easing travel restrictions for future trade and official exchanges. With regional dynamics shifting, particularly in light of China's rising influence and the decline of traditional regional groupings such as SAARC, Pakistan and Bangladesh appear to be recalibrating their foreign policy strategies. Both countries are now exploring issue-based cooperation focused on development, trade and strategic autonomy, moving beyond historical baggage. The recent engagements also reflect Pakistan's broader diplomatic push to reconnect with South Asian neighbours, strengthen Muslim world solidarity and project a more constructive role in regional diplomacy. Since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, Bangladesh's interim administration has removed restrictions on Pakistani diplomats and imports, giving a fresh impetus to bilateral ties.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Why I refused to switch to Pakistan cricket during England-India Test
Pakistani fan explains why he refused to switch from England-India Test to Pakistan match It's a typical day at the office. My partner walks in, one phone in his ear and the other on speaker in his hand, a little excited. 'Yaar, Pakistan is winning. Switch the channel. Put it on.' I glance at the screen. Ben Duckett has just bossed the ball to the fence. Crisp, effortless, dismissive. He has scored his fifty at under a run-a-ball. Crawley isn't far behind. England is taking the game to India at full throttle. I look back at my partner and shake my head. 'Look at the difference in the quality of cricket.' Because what's unfolding on the screen is not just a Test match. It is Test cricket at its very best. Electric, daring, and deeply competitive. This entire England-India series has been captivating and constantly playing on my screen. To give context: India dominated nine of the first ten days of this five-match series. And yet, somehow, after ten days of hard cricket, the scoreline read 1–1. Then came a thrilling third Test. A match that swung like a pendulum. And England edged ahead, 2–1. Now, in a must-win fourth Test, India began strongly, as they usually do. Earlier, when Pant walked out to bat with a broken foot, I mumbled to a colleague, 'Pant will score today and become a hero. We will have to watch this video forever, like Anil Kumble bowling with a bandaged head.' But England is now Bazballing India, with Duckett and Crawley taking the attack to Bumrah and his men, playing fearless cricket. Meanwhile, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Pakistan was winning a dead rubber. 2–0 down already in the series, playing for pride. Bangladesh, on the other hand, seemed to be playing for nothing. Just another day where Bangladesh looked like Pakistan. And, on other days, Pakistan looked like Bangladesh. It is the curse of the subcontinent. It is the poison in the blood we share. India isn't immune either. They've had sessions. Brutal ones. Where the tail collapses without a fight. Where hours of hard work evaporate in a single spell. All that talent, all that depth, undone by a lack of discipline and temperament. Just like us. But the stark difference in the quality of cricket was vivid. From batting to fielding, from decision-making to execution, India vs England was many notches above Pakistan vs Bangladesh. The Pakistan-Bangladesh games had poor wickets, average bowlers, lazy batting, uninspiring field placements of men who didn't seem to belong at top-level international cricket. It was, at times, unwatchable. In contrast, the England-India series was a masterclass. Joe Root. Quietly breaking records. Moving past Kallis, Ponting, and others. Now second only to Tendulkar. Yes, Tendulkar's hallowed record of the highest run-getter in Tests is in sight. Shubman Gill putting the English bowlers to the sword. Bumrah's magic and Archer's return. After a lifetime of watching Pakistan cricket, a realisation has dawned: the second-most watched team in our lives has undoubtedly been India. Not necessarily out of choice, but out of access and circumstance. It began in the early 90s. In 1991, Prime Sports first entered our homes. Then came Star Sports, which absorbed Prime, followed by an endless stream of Indian sports content on our screens. Suddenly, Indian cricket was everywhere. All day, every day. But it wasn't just television. There's something deeper. Whenever we travel, work or study abroad, somehow, we find ourselves drawn to each other. Pakistanis and Indians form the closest bonds. Roommates, friends, partners. We speak the same way, we laugh the same way, we argue about movies and cricket and food—but always from the same cultural starting point. And yet, deep inside, I've always grown up wanting India to lose. That's instinct. That's the rivalry. They are the 'enemy team,' and there's a tribal satisfaction in watching them falter. I find myself asking a strange question. Why am I supporting England? The same England that colonised us. The same England that looted this subcontinent, divided us, and ensured we were treated as second-class citizens in our own lands. Why is it that when India is playing England, so many of us are instinctively cheering for England? Logically, we are far closer to India than we are to England. We speak the same languages. We share food, traditions, and trauma. But emotionally, that line in our hearts remains. My Indian friend tells me I should support India over England. But when Rahul gets out early, or when Bumrah is hammered down the ground, there is that flicker of satisfaction. I wanted the series to be squared and go into the final with everything at stake. But India will probably be 3–1 down when this piece is published. The final game will be a dead rubber. Just like Pakistan-Bangladesh. No. Playing for pride is only possible if there is something to be proud of to begin with. This Pakistani team is without its most talented and sellable products. It's taken its heroes and made them into villains. At the end of the day, we watch cricket, like any sport, not just to root for a team. We watch to witness mastery. We watch to see supersonic skills. We watch to marvel at the rare few who can rise above the ordinary and perform at the edge of human ability. And that's why I refused to switch the channel.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistan, Bangladesh Agree On Visa-Free Entry Of Officials: How It Affects India
New Delhi: Pakistan and Bangladesh have reached an agreement to allow visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a move that would be closely watched by India. The move signals a further thaw in bilateral ties, as both sides seek to rebuild relations frosty since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The decision on visa-free entry was announced on Wednesday after a high-level meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Lieutenant General (retired) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, in Dhaka, the state-run Radio Pakistan reported. During the meeting, the two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of internal security and police training. Chowdhury and Naqvi discussed increasing collaboration on anti-narcotics and anti-human trafficking. Views were also exchanged on joint counter-terrorism measures and exchange programmes between police academies of the two countries, the report said. Chowdhury called his Bangladesh visit extremely important to promote bilateral cooperation between Dhaka and Islamabad. He also thanked Naqvi for extending the offer of police training to Bangladeshi officials. Growing Pakistan-Bangladesh Ties Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have witnessed a marked improvement following the establishment of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, with the two sides trying to reset ties. Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel laureate, is a staunch opponent of Ms Hasina's policies, which were fundamentally pro-India and anti-Pakistan. Pakistan has formed a joint committee, to be headed by Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, to further boost cooperation with Bangladesh. A high-level Bangladeshi delegation is set to visit Islamabad soon to tour the Safe City Project and the National Police Academy. India Concerns The visa-free entry of Islamabad's officials to Dhaka could enable easier movement of Inter-Services Intelligence agents and other Pakistani spies in Bangladesh. New Delhi worries that a bigger presence of Pakistani officials in Bangladesh could lead to a resurgence of anti-India Islamist extremism in Bangladesh could target India and support insurgent groups in northeastern states.
Business Recorder
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, Bangladesh agree on visa-free entry for diplomatic, official passport holders
Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed on Wednesday to grant visa-free entry for diplomatic and official passports. The development came during Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's meeting today with Bangladesh's Home Minister, Lieutenant General (R) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. 'Pakistan-Bangladesh trade will soon reach $1bn mark' The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in internal security and police training. They also held discussions on increasing collaboration in counter-narcotics and anti-human trafficking efforts, along with joint measures for counter-terrorism. Exchange programs for training between police academies were also discussed. UK removes Pakistan from Air Safety List The two leaders also decided to establish a joint committee to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh. On Pakistan's side, Federal Secretary for Interior, Khurram Agha, will head the committee. Meanwhile, a high-level Bangladeshi delegation will soon visit the National Police Academy in Islamabad.
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Pakistan opt to bat against Bangladesh in first T20I
Pakistan have won the toss and decided to bat against Bangladesh in the first of the three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. Pakistan made six changes to their lineup that featured in the five-match away T20I series against New Zealand in March, while Bangladesh are fielding the same side that suffered a 2-1 series defeat against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month. Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I series to proceed without DRS technology Pakistan playing XI Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed. Bangladesh Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam.
