Pakistan-Bangladesh underscore importance of stronger defence ties
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
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and Bangladesh’s Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, Lt Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, highlighted the need to strengthen defence ties during their meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The meeting took place at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining a resilient partnership between the two nations, free from external influences, as stated by the military’s media wing.
Discussions centered on the shifting security dynamics in the region, with both sides exploring opportunities for deeper military cooperation. General Munir underscored the value of joint efforts in promoting peace and stability across South Asia and beyond, while ensuring collaborative defence initiatives to bolster regional security.
Lt Gen Hassan praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged the sacrifices made by its armed forces in the fight against terrorism. He described their efforts as a testament to resilience and determination.
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have entered a new phase following the ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, who had maintained strong ties with India.
In December, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his intent to strengthen ties with Pakistan after meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a conference in Egypt. PM Shehbaz described the meeting as “warm and cordial” and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Further signs of improving relations include the successful arrival of the first direct cargo ship from Pakistan to Bangladesh in decades, which unloaded its containers at the port of Chittagong in November.
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