Pakistan, Bangladesh call for lasting ties, immune to external pressures

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Bangladesh’s Armed Forces Division Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan met on Tuesday at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, emphasizing the need for a stronger defense partnership resilient to external influences, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During their discussions, both sides highlighted the importance of fostering enduring ties between the two nations and exchanged views on regional security dynamics. They also explored opportunities to enhance milit cooperation.

General Munir stressed the necessity of joint efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and beyond, ensuring both countries play a collaborative role in regional security. Lt Gen Hassan praised the Pakistan Army’s professionalism and acknowledged the sacrifices made in combating terrorism, describing them as a source of inspiration.

Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have seen a shift following the ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, who had close ties with India. Hasina fled to India after a student-led revolution toppled her government. Since then, ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have strained, while relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have gained momentum.

Last month, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on the sidelines of a D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation summit in Cairo. Both leaders pledged to strengthen ties, focusing on trade, commerce, and cultural exchanges. Yunus’ office confirmed the commitment to deepening collaboration, while PM Shehbaz described their meeting as “warm and cordial.”

In November, the first direct cargo ship in decades successfully delivered goods from Pakistan to Bangladesh at the Chittagong port, marking a milestone in renewed economic engagement between the two nations.