DHAKA: Pakistan and Bangladesh on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation against drug trafficking, narcotics smuggling and substance abuse.
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The agreement was signed during a visit to Dhaka by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Salahuddin Ahmed, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior.
Under the agreement, both countries pledged full cooperation to prevent the illegal transportation and smuggling of narcotics while jointly addressing the growing threat of drug abuse and its harmful social impact.
The two sides also agreed to establish a secretary-level joint working group between their interior ministries to coordinate anti-narcotics efforts and strengthen bilateral security collaboration.
According to the ministry, Pakistan and Bangladesh will formulate a joint strategy to dismantle narcotics trafficking and supply networks operating across borders.
Relevant agencies from both countries will exchange intelligence, information and operational details regarding drug traffickers and organised smuggling groups to improve enforcement actions.
The agreement also includes cooperation in personnel training, the use of modern technology and sharing of best practices in narcotics prevention and law enforcement.
During the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi also offered Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh’s Safe City project, assuring Dhaka of Islamabad’s full cooperation in the initiative.
“We will support the government of Bangladesh in the project in every possible way,” Naqvi said, according to the ministry statement.
The talks further covered broader areas of bilateral cooperation, including internal security, counterterrorism, cybercrime, organised crime and financial fraud prevention.
Both ministers exchanged views on measures to combat terrorism and human trafficking while discussing cooperation in training programmes for civil armed forces and police academies.
Naqvi also invited Salahuddin Ahmed to visit Pakistan to further strengthen bilateral engagement between the two countries.
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved significantly in recent years after a prolonged period of strained ties during the tenure of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Following political changes in Bangladesh, diplomatic engagement between the two countries has increased steadily.
Earlier this year, Ahsan Iqbal attended the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq visited Dhaka last year for the funeral of former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia.
In August 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also visited Dhaka and met Bangladeshi leader Muhammad Yunus.
