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Tuesday January 28, 2025

Pakistan, BD keen on boosting military ties

COAS reiterates significance of joint efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia

By Ag App & Muhammad Anis & Muhammad Saleh Zaafir
January 15, 2025
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir exchanging views with Lieutenant General S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh during meeting held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. —PPI
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir exchanging views with Lieutenant General S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh during meeting held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. —PPI

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh Lt Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan have stressed the importance of strengthening defence ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh to counter external threats.

This unanimity of perception arrived during Gen Asim Munir’s meeting with General S M Kamr-ul-Hassan at the General Headquarters (GHQ) here, reports APP. Both the generals held extensive discussions on the evolving security dynamics in the region and explored further avenues for enhancing bilateral military cooperation, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a news release. They underscored the importance of a stronger defence relationship, emphasising that an enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient against external influences.

The COAS reiterated the significance of joint efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and the broader region while ensuring that both nations continue to contribute to regional security through collaborative defence initiatives. Lieutenant General Kamr-ul-Hassan commended the exceptional professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged the immense sacrifices made by the armed forces in their relentless fight against terrorism, noting that their efforts serve as a beacon of courage and determination.

Later, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh Lieutenant General S M Kamr-ul-Hassan held a detailed meeting with General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), at the Joint Staff Headquarters.

Their discussions focused on matters of mutual strategic interest and explored avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations, says the ISPR in a press release. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening military ties and reaffirmed their commitment to insulating this partnership from any external disruptions.

General Mirza and Lieutenant General Hassan agreed on the critical need for continued collaboration in promoting regional peace, security and stability. The CJCSC reiterated that both countries share a common vision for a secure and prosperous future, underpinned by robust defence cooperation. Lieutenant General Kamr-ul-Hassan lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and expressed deep admiration for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, recognizing the resilience and dedication displayed by the forces.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir identified the terror activities of Fitna Al Khwarij against Pakistan from its hideouts in Afghanistan as the major reason for sour relations with the neighbouring country.

Talking to political elders and leaders in Peshawar, he categorically said, “Our differences with Afghanistan will continue unless the Kabul government there addresses our concerns in this regard.” He said Afghanistan was an Islamic and brotherly neighbouring country and Pakistan always desired the best relations with it. He asked if ‘Fasad on Earth’ was not a big sin according to Almighty Allah. He said they were following Pakistan-centric policies adding that the state always had priority over politics. “There is nothing if a state does not exist,” he said. The army chief stressed that the nation would have to stand against terrorism, rising above all biases and differences. “The scenario will improve when the whole nation stands united,” he said. General Asim noted that every human being commits mistakes but not accepting and not learning a lesson from them was the bigger mistake.

He observed that the Pakistan Army and people were tied in special relation. He said an attempt was being made to create a gulf in this relationship through a fake narrative with the help of particular agents based abroad. He said all the political parties had a consensus on the National Action Plan (NAP) and there was a need to expedite its implementation. He clarified that no large-scale operation was being conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Neither any large-scale operation is being conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa nor Fitna Al Khwarij is active in any area of the country. He told the gathering that only targeted intelligence-based operations were being carried out against the Khwarij.

In a related development, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Dhaka that will ensure the export of eight lakh tonnes of rice from Pakistan to Bangladesh in five months.

According to reports, Dhaka has planned to import 1.75 lakh tonnes in January. It is the first government-to-government (G2G) agreement inked after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s pro-India government. Dhaka has recently relaxed several restrictions on trade and movement. Pakistan’s trade delegation is visiting Bangladesh these days and it was warmly received.

According to officials, Bangladesh will import Atap (parboiled) rice from Pakistan. Atap rice is referred to as “unpolished rice,” which is a traditional type of rice that undergoes minimal processing, allowing it to keep its natural nutrients and bran. It is primarily cultivated in parts of India and Southeast Asia. The MOU was inked by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan Chairman Syed Bashir Shah and Director General of the Directorate General of Food Muhammad Abdul Khaleque at the Ministry of Food in Dhaka.

BD officials are of the view that the MoU is expected to open a new horizon in stabilising the domestic rice market and strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries. Food Secretary Muhammad Masudul Hasan, Special Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof and other senior officials from both sides were also present at the signing ceremony. Following the MoU signing, Pakistan’s High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder and discussed the bilateral trade ties. The price of rice has risen by Tk6-10 per kg over the past month in Bangladesh, leaving consumers struggling to manage the increasing expenses. To stabilise the market, the government has targeted importing rice from global sources and scrapped import duties to facilitate imports of the key staple.