COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir Meets Bangladeshi PSO

Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan met on Tuesday to discuss enhancing defence relations between the two nations, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced.

During their meeting at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, both leaders emphasized the importance of a robust defence partnership between Pakistan and Bangladesh. They highlighted that this enduring relationship should remain resilient against any external influences, according to the military’s media wing.

The ISPR statement detailed that the discussions included extensive talks on the evolving security dynamics within the region. Both sides explored new avenues to enhance bilateral military cooperation, aiming to bolster regional peace and stability.

General Munir reiterated the significance of joint efforts to promote peace and security in South Asia and the broader region. He stressed the need for continued collaboration in defence initiatives to ensure mutual contributions to regional stability.

Lt Gen Hassan praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged the significant sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism. He described the efforts of the Pakistan armed forces as a beacon of courage and determination.

The relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have seen a shift following the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. Hasina, known for her close ties with India, fled to India in August 2024 after a student-led revolution.

Dhaka’s relations with New Delhi have since deteriorated, particularly after the revolution that led to Hasina’s exile. Last month, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his desire to strengthen relations with Pakistan during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of a conference in Egypt.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described his meeting with Yunus as “warm and cordial,” adding on social media platform X that both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Both nations agreed to enhance ties through increased trade, commerce, and the exchange of sports and cultural delegations, as per a statement from Yunus’ office.

In a significant development, the first cargo ship in decades sailed directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh in November, successfully unloading its containers at the port of Chittagong. This milestone underscores the growing economic collaboration between the two countries.