Bangladesh and Pakistan on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking, narcotics abuse and related money laundering activities.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at InterContinental Dhaka.

Salahuddin Ahmed and Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective countries, according to a press release issued by Bangladesh’s Home Ministry.

Under the agreement, both countries agreed to enhance cooperation through intelligence sharing, technical assistance and coordinated anti-narcotics operations to tackle the trafficking and abuse of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursor chemicals.

The MoU provides for the regular exchange of information related to drug traffickers, drug trafficking organisations (DTOs), emerging smuggling routes and new concealment methods used in narcotics trafficking.

Bangladesh and Pakistan also agreed to conduct joint intelligence-led operations, including controlled delivery operations, to disrupt transnational drug networks. Intelligence agencies from both countries will carry out activities through mutual requests and coordinated cooperation.

As part of capacity-building initiatives, the two sides will arrange training and retraining programmes for drug control officials and exchange scientific research and expertise on narcotics control.

The agreement also includes technical cooperation involving the use of modern detection equipment and sniffer dogs to identify concealed drugs.

Under the framework of the MoU, Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force will serve as focal points for operational coordination and information exchange.

Both sides agreed to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all shared information and documents, ensuring that no material is disclosed to any third party without prior consent.

The MoU will remain valid for 10 years from the date of signing and may be extended further through mutual agreement.

Officials from both countries expressed hope that the agreement would strengthen regional cooperation against narcotics trafficking and contribute to public health and security.

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