DPM congratulates newly appointed FM Dr Khalilur Rehman; both share vision of regional peace, stability and prosperity
Newly appointed Bangladesh FM Dr Khalilur Rahman (right) with Pakistan’s FM Ishaq Dar (left)
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s newly appointed Foreign Minister, Dr Khalilur Rehman, discussed strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across various sectors during a telephone conversation on Sunday.
The rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh followed the ouster of the Awami League government. In August 2025, the two countries signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in trade, diplomacy, media, education and cultural exchanges, marking a significant step in efforts to reset relations after years of strained ties.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephonic conversation with Dr. Khalil ur Rahman, Foreign Minister of #Bangladesh, felicitating him on his recent appointment.
Both leaders expressed desire to further strengthening bilateral ties,… pic.twitter.com/KDxVl6lZlr
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 22, 2026
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar congratulated his counterpart on his recent appointment, and both ministers emphasised a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
“They also agreed to expand cooperation across diverse sectors and in multilateral fora, aiming to build a forward-looking partnership for the peoples of both countries,” the statement said.
Last week, the centre-right BNP achieved a landslide victory in parliament, just 18 months after mass protests led to the removal of the country’s longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
Read More: BNP says open to fostering ‘forward-looking relationship with Pakistan’ after election win
In the historic general election, the BNP secured over two-thirds of parliamentary seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami, the nation’s main religious party, finished second.
Following the victory in election, Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister along with newly elected lawmakers, marking a decisive political shift and the country’s first elected government since the deadly 2024 uprising.
Later, Tarique Rahman named 50-member cabinet and appointed Khalil ur Rahman as foreign minister, who is an experienced diplomat and former UN official who holds degrees from universities in Dhaka and the United States. He held the security portfolio in the caretaker government and helped mediate trade talks with the United States.
