Pakistan and Bangladesh Sign Landmark Anti-Smuggling Treaty
DHAKA — Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse, with Islamabad offering Safe City technology to support Dhaka's urban security initiatives.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi signed the agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart Salahuddin Ahmed during an official visit to Dhaka, marking another significant step in the warming of ties between the two nations. Both countries agreed to establish a secretary-level joint working group to coordinate efforts against the illegal movement, sale, and supply of narcotics across borders.
Under the MoU, both nations will fully cooperate to prevent the illegal transportation and smuggling of narcotics. Relevant agencies of both countries will share timely intelligence on drug smuggling networks and traffickers, train personnel jointly, utilize modern technology, and formulate joint strategies to disrupt supply chains and eliminate the growing trend of drug abuse in society.
Minister Naqvi also offered full cooperation to Bangladesh for its Safe City Project, assuring assistance at every level. He said: "We will support the Government of Bangladesh in every aspect regarding the Safe City project." The Bangladeshi interior minister thanked Naqvi for the offer and expressed willingness to deepen security collaboration.
The two interior ministers further discussed deepening cooperation in internal security, counter-terrorism initiatives, human trafficking prevention, cybercrimes, organized crime, and financial fraud. They exchanged views on joint counter-terrorism measures and explored avenues for enhanced collaboration between police academies of both countries, including specialized training programs for officers.
Naqvi extended an invitation for his Bangladeshi counterpart to visit Pakistan. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Cabinet Secretary Naseem Al Ghani, Home Secretary Manzoor Chaudhry, and Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider were also present during the meeting.
The development comes against a backdrop of broader recalibration in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Since then, ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have shown gradual transformation after decades of limited engagement, with recent months witnessing increased diplomatic contacts and defence-related engagements. In January, a Bangladesh Air Force delegation visited Pakistan for talks on potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, further cementing the growing partnership between the two countries.
