Pakistan Appoints Imran Haider as New High Commissioner to Bangladesh

Dhaka, August 8, 2025 – Pakistan’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning to assume his diplomatic duties. The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka confirmed his arrival in an official statement. Haider was warmly welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by representatives from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner, and other officials from the High Commission.

Imran Haider succeeds Syed Ahmed Maroof, who departed Dhaka on May 11, 2025, after serving as High Commissioner. The Pakistan High Commission had notified Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maroof’s departure, in line with diplomatic protocol requiring host countries to be informed of a diplomat’s travel. Initially, the High Commission indicated that Maroof was on a two-week leave, but he did not return to Dhaka even after more than a month, leading to speculation about his tenure. Islamabad subsequently named Haider as Maroof’s replacement.

Haider brings extensive diplomatic experience to his new role. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has been serving as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Myanmar since March 2024. Prior to that, he held the position of Ambassador to Tajikistan from 2019 to 2023 and served as Deputy Head of Mission in Tehran from 2016 to 2019. Haider, who joined Pakistan’s Foreign Service in 1996, has also held postings in Madrid, New Delhi, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. The appointment comes at a time when Bangladesh and Pakistan are working to strengthen bilateral ties. Haider’s arrival is expected to usher in a new phase of diplomatic engagement, focusing on trade, cultural exchanges, and regional cooperation. Observers note that his extensive experience in diverse diplomatic postings will be an asset in navigating the complex dynamics of Bangladesh-Pakistan relations.