Pakistani general's Dhaka visit explores stronger defence ties

A visiting Pakistani delegation led by General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), met with Bangladesh's three service chiefs in Dhaka, focusing on enhancing bilateral defence and security cooperation.

Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force, in their verified social media pages, confirmed the developments.

The Pakistani general met Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman at the Army Headquarters on Tuesday.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan. Photo: Bangladesh Navy

Earlier on Sunday, General Mirza met Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan at the Naval Headquarters, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan at the Air Headquarters, according to the notifications.

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During the meetings, both sides discussed strengthening defence and security cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. They also exchanged views on expanding collaboration through joint training programmes, seminars, and official visits, the services said in notifications.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza with Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. Photo: Bangladesh Air Force

In a post by the Bangladesh Navy, it was stated that discussions focused on enhancing professional cooperation between the two militaries -- particularly between the navies of the two countries -- and deepening friendly ties.

The Air Force also mentioned that the talks underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral military cooperation and were expected to expand avenues of mutual collaboration.

The Pakistani delegation arrived in Dhaka on October 24 on a five-day official visit.

However, until today, Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had not issued any official statement on the meetings.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's ISPR said in a press release, quoted by the Dawn newspaper, that during the meeting with General Waker-Uz-Zaman, both sides "appreciated the positive trajectory of expanding defence cooperation" and agreed to maintain "regular exchange visits at various tiers of military leadership."

The Pakistani statement added that discussions covered the global and regional security environment, joint training, exercises, counter-terrorism cooperation, and the exchange of professional experience.

It further noted that both sides "recognised the emerging challenges posed by disruptive and divisive disinformation efforts across multiple platforms" and reaffirmed the need for "enhanced cooperation and joint efforts to effectively counter these threats."

On October 25, General Mirza paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.

During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh–Pakistan relations, including growing importance of bilateral trade, investment, and defence cooperation, said the chief adviser's press wing.

Both sides also underscored the need to deescalate tensions in the Middle East and Europe. They exchanged views on the growing challenge of misinformation and the misuse of social media by non-state actors to undermine peace and stability across various regions, added the press wing.