Pakistan, Bangladesh underscore ‘enduring partnership’ for resillience against external influences

Published January 14, 2025
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir meets Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh, at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi on Tuesday. — ISPR
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir meets Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh, at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi on Tuesday. — ISPR

The militaries of Pakistan and Bangladesh stressed the need on Tuesday for the “enduring partnership” between the two countries to “remain resilient against external influences” amid a thaw in ties.

The two countries were once one nation but split following a bloody civil war, which saw the territory previously referred to as ‘East Pakistan’ seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.

In the years since the split, Dhaka’s leaders — especially the recently ousted regime of Sheikh Hasina — stayed firmly in the Indian camp, preferring to maintain close ties with New Delhi and keeping Islamabad at arm’s length.

However, ever since a popular uprising that saw Hasina’s government toppled in August, there has been a thaw in ties between the two capitals, with trade and bilateral relations seeing a marked improvement.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh, met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters today during the former’s visit to Pakistan.

“The COAS and the PSO underscored the importance of a stronger defence relationship, emphasising that the enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient against external influences,” the ISPR said.

It added that both held extensive discussions on the evolving security dynamics in the region and explored further avenues for enhancing bilateral military cooperation.

COAS Munir reiterated the significance of joint efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and the broader region while ensuring that both nations continued to contribute to regional security through collaborative defence initiatives.

The Bangladeshi military official commended the Pakistan Army’s “exceptional professionalism” and acknowledged the “immense sacrifices” made by the armed forces in the fight against terrorism, noting that their efforts served as a “beacon of courage and determination”.

The ISPR said Gen Hassan also earlier met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Staff Headquarters.

It said their discussions focused on matters of mutual strategic interest and explored avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.

“Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening military ties and reaffirmed their commitment to insulating this partnership from any external disruptions,” the ISPR said, adding that the two agreed on the “critical need for continued collaboration” in promoting regional peace, security and stability.

The CJCSC reiterated that both countries shared a “common vision for a secure and prosperous future”, underpinned by robust defence cooperation.

Opinion

Editorial

Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...
The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...