Karachi (TDI): A high-level delegation of twelve senior civil servants from Bangladesh arrived in Karachi to participate in a landmark two-week Executive Leadership Training program, on Monday.
The delegation was warmly received by officials from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the Civil Services Academy (CSA) upon their arrival in the port city.
This initiative marks the first structured professional exchange between senior bureaucrats of the two nations since the early 1970s, representing a significant milestone in restoring institutional ties.
The delegation was led by, Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division, Salma Siddiqua Mahtab and consists of eleven joint secretary-level officers from key ministries, including Public Administration, Home Affairs and Commerce.
A delegation of senior civil servants from Bangladesh has arrived in Pakistan to participate in a two-week Executive Leadership Training Programme jointly organised by HEC and the Civil Services Academy (CSA). pic.twitter.com/5m0QnqAQVf
— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) May 4, 2026
The program, titled “Strategic Leadership, Governance Systems and Policy Innovation” is a flagship initiative of the Government of Pakistan.
It is designed to foster bilateral cooperation, promote mutual learning and strengthen institutional linkages between the public sector organizations of both South Asian countries.
The training schedule began with a four-day engagement at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) in Karachi.
During this initial phase the visiting officers will participate in briefings on Pakistan’s progress in governance, economic reforms and healthcare.
The program also includes visits to key institutions such as the State Bank of Pakistan and Customs House alongside cultural tours of Quaid-e-Azam House and Mohatta Palace.
Following the Karachi segment, the delegation will travel to Lahore for the remaining duration of the program at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), where they will engage in high-level discussions on administrative innovation.
The training has been organized and funded completely by the government of Pakistan, and reflects a strategic effort to enhance regional understanding and professional networking.
Before their departure from Dhaka, the officers were seen off by the Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider.
Muhammad Usman Hashmi is a researcher in International Relations, focusing on climate diplomacy, global governance, and political economy in the Global South. He has contributed to policy dialogues with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the International Council on Human Rights, Peace and Politics. He is also associated with Rethinking Economics Islamabad, contributing to research on development and sustainability.
