ISLAMABAD; Pakistan and Bangladesh have pledged to strengthen their defence and security cooperation following a series of high-level meetings between Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and senior Bangladeshi officials, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The renewed engagement comes amid an improvement in bilateral relations between the two countries since the political change in Dhaka last year, which saw the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Trade and diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have notably improved since then.
During his official visit to Bangladesh, Gen Mirza held separate meetings with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen S.M. Kamrul Hassan.
Both sides expressed optimism about enhancing defence and security collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to expand military-to-military cooperation and related initiatives. Discussions focused on the evolving regional and global security environment, with both parties recognising the importance of closer defence coordination.
The ISPR said Gen Mirza reiterated Pakistan’s appreciation for its “longstanding fraternal ties” with Bangladesh and reaffirmed the resolve to strengthen relations based on sovereign equality and mutual respect.
During the visit, the CJCSC also toured the School of Infantry and Tactics in Sylhet, where he interacted with faculty and students. Bangladesh’s civil and military leadership praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Upon arrival at Senakunjo, Gen Mirza was presented with a guard of honour and laid a wreath at the national monument, Shikha Anirban.
Earlier in January, Bangladesh’s Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen S.M. Kamrul Hassan had met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir in Rawalpindi, where both sides underscored the need for a lasting partnership to remain resilient against external pressures.
