Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir known as the most powerful man in Pakistan are likely to visit Bangladesh soon to take the bi-lateral relationship into a different height, Pakistan Observer reports.
"If the visit materialises, talks in Dhaka are expected to feature a wide-ranging and ambitious agenda, including trade expansion, industrial collaboration, defence cooperation, and enhanced regional connectivity.
However, the most discussed-and potentially contentious-issue is defence cooperation," Pakistan's media reports.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have been moving toward warming relations, particularly following a change in the political landscape in Dhaka after the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Speculation grows over a landmark three-day visit by the two important persons visit to Dhaka, however the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially confirmed the development," the Pakistan Observer reports.
Against the backdrop of rebuilding diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Dhaka after decades of strain, the proposed visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the army chief could mark a significant thaw in bilateral relations, the news was reported by the online outlet of Pakistan Observer.
The potential visit comes at a time when discussions are also underway regarding a possible China trip by Bangladesh BNP government Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to analysts, the timing of these events may reflect broader strategic calculations and regional diplomatic messaging, it reports.
Relations between the two countries in this sector have historically been limited since Bangladesh's independence in 1971 when Bangladesh became independent defeating the Pakistan occupation army that unleashed a genocide and committed crimes against humanity. Following the independence of Bangladesh a number of outstanding issues including a demand for apology from Pakistan for the genocide by its occupation army during War of Liberation in 1971, return of assets of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from Pakistan and the repatriation of stranded Pakistan from Bangladesh remained as major battle neck to improve relations between the two countries.
The cooperation may not be confined only to infrastructure development; it could extend to advanced military technology assistance, including drone technology and missile-related systems. Beyond defence industrial collaboration, discussions may also explore deeper military-level ties, such as joint training exercises, exchange of defence personnel, and greater security coordination.
Both countries have gradually been increasing diplomatic and economic engagement, including high-level visits, improved travel facilities, the reopening of maritime trade routes, and new agreements on investment and security cooperation.
