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Bangladesh has sought Pakistan’s support to develop a modern urban security system, strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking and enhance the professional capacity of the Bangladesh Police, as the two countries agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation on security and regional issues.
The issues were discussed during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Pakistan’s Interior and Narcotics Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on the sidelines of meetings at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, according to a Home Ministry press release issued on Wednesday.
The two ministers discussed a wide range of issues, including bilateral security cooperation, regional stability, narcotics control, urban security, police capacity building and the Rohingya crisis.
Referring to the Pakistani interior minister’s visit to Bangladesh in May this year, Salahuddin Ahmed said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries to prevent the illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances would strengthen border security and public safety.
He said Bangladesh and Pakistan have an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties based on their shared history, mutual respect and partnership.
The home minister also welcomed the resumption of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ direct Dhaka-Karachi flights after a 14-year suspension, expressing hope that the service would boost people-to-people contact and bilateral trade.
During the meeting, Salahuddin raised the humanitarian concerns of people of Bangladeshi origin living in Pakistan who face difficulties obtaining the country’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) due to a lack of family documentation. He said the problem deprives many of access to education, healthcare and other essential services, and sought Pakistan’s cooperation in resolving the issue on humanitarian grounds.
Highlighting urban security, the minister said Pakistan’s Safe City initiative, implemented in more than 40 cities, could serve as a useful model for Bangladesh.
He noted that Bangladesh’s then senior secretary, now Cabinet Secretary, visited Safe City projects in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Karachi in September 2025, and said Pakistan could provide technical and strategic assistance in making Bangladeshi cities safer.
Salahuddin also sought Pakistan’s support in providing advanced training for Bangladesh Police officers to further improve the force’s professionalism and operational capabilities.
On the Rohingya crisis, he recalled that Bangladesh and Pakistan had previously worked together on issues involving undocumented Rohingyas living in Saudi Arabia and expressed hope for continued cooperation on regional and global humanitarian challenges.
He also urged Pakistan to continue supporting Bangladesh’s efforts at international forums to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
At the end of the meeting, Syed Mohsin Naqvi invited the Bangladesh home minister to visit Pakistan. Salahuddin accepted the invitation in principle and said he would undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time.
Senior officials from the home ministries of both countries also attended the meeting.