Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rehman on Wednesday reviewed the “positive trajectory” of their bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.
Khalilur Rehman, who is also the President-elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, met Dar as both leaders participated in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila, where Pakistan is engaging regional partners through bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum.
According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders “reviewed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and the renewed impetus by the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh last year.”
The Foreign Office said both sides “reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.”
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met Mr. Khalilur Rehman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and President-elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)… pic.twitter.com/LmpaypdkeW
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 22, 2026
The ministers also welcomed the growing engagement between the two countries, including “enhanced people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity following the commencement of direct flights this year,” and agreed “to sustain this positive trajectory.”
According to the Foreign Office, the two sides noted that increased exchanges and improved connectivity had contributed to strengthening relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Dar and Rehman also “exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the statement added.
Dar’s arrival
Earlier, Dar arrived in Manila, Philippines to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting, according to the Foreign Office.
The FO said Dar reached Manila along with his delegation and is scheduled to take part in the ARF Plenary meeting as well as hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the forum.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Manila, Philippines, along with his delegation to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting. A busy programme of engagements lies ahead, including participation… pic.twitter.com/gn3Jqqwifl
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 22, 2026
It added that “a busy programme of engagements lies ahead, including participation in the ARF Plenary meeting and bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines”.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Dar was received by Assistant Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Security Services (OISS) Elmer G Cato, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines, along with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Asima Rabbani, and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan, the FO said.
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The week-long summit, which will run through July 24, gathers foreign ministers and top diplomats from ASEAN nations and major powers to discuss issues surrounding geopolitical challenges, energy supplies, trade, food, security cooperation, Myanmar civil war and the Five-Point Consensus, as well as the impacts of the US-Iran conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will join the ASEAN-led meeting in the coming days and could meet on the sidelines. Also attending will be India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia, Britain and the European Union, among others.
Southeast Asia, a major oil importer with a combined gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion, is highly exposed to the supply crunch and has sought to fast-track an ASEAN oil-sharing mechanism to mitigate the impact.
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