Dhaka, Aug. 22 -- Bangladesh and Pakistan have moved a step closer toward deepening bilateral ties as the Advisory Council in Dhaka on Thursday approved a draft agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

According to Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam, the proposal was initiated by the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs and subsequently endorsed at the Council's 39th meeting.

Under the approved draft, accredited diplomats and government officials of both countries will be able to enter and stay in each other's territory without a visa.

Officials described the agreement as a "confidence-building measure" aimed at facilitating greater official-level exch...