Islamabad, 21 May 2026(Kamran Raja): The closing ceremony of the Executive Development Programme for officers of the Bangladesh Civil Service was held at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), Islamabad, marking the successful conclusion of a three-week institutional exchange and capacity-building initiative organized by Civil Services Academy (CSA) at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), Islamabad. The training programme comprised three major components: Executive Leadership in Pakistan, Governance in Pakistan, and Policy Innovation. Director Capacity Building CSA, Shabbir Akbar Zaidi briefed the audience on the design, activities, and outcomes of the programme.
Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Yousaf Raza Gilani attended the ceremony as Chief Guest, alongside His Excellency Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan, Rector NSPP, and Director General CSA Farhan Aziz Khawaja.
Addressing the participants, Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani appreciated the initiative and termed it a positive step towards strengthening institutional relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh after more than five decades. He emphasized the importance of regular exchanges in parliamentary cooperation, civil service training, public policy, and leadership development, stating that stronger institutions and people-to-people connections are essential for regional harmony and progress.
Speaking on behalf of the Bangladeshi delegation, Madam Salma Mehtab expressed gratitude for the warmth and hospitality extended by Pakistan during the programme. She noted that the delegation arrived as visitors and was leaving as friends, carrying valuable professional insights and lasting memories of Pakistan’s culture, institutions, and people.
Director General CSA Farhan Aziz Khawaja highlighted that the programme was carefully designed to provide exposure to Pakistan’s governance structures, public institutions, development initiatives, and cultural heritage. He thanked the federal and provincial institutions that contributed to the successful conduct of the programme.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates among the participants and reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and Bangladesh towards enhanced cooperation, mutual learning, and institutional connectivity.