PAKISTAN and Bangladesh share a common history in the struggle for independence, as both were colonies of the British and endured socio-economic injustice, political brutality and Hindu domination.
Both nations sought liberation under the visionary leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who championed the idea of Muslim nationhood based on the Two-Nation Theory. Despite differences in socio-cultural backgrounds, geographical distance and linguistic diversity, the two communities united against a common adversary. However, interference by New Delhi and Moscow in 1971 led to the forceful dismemberment of the country, leaving a painful and complex legacy marked by bitter, lasting narratives. Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh in 1974, established diplomatic relations in 1976 and demonstrated a commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence.
Since the establishment of Bangladesh, Pakistan tried its best to cover the bleeding wounds through brotherly cooperation to the new country so that they could manage their socio-economic challenges and difficulties, but it was not possible in the presence of India’s influence. However, in the beginning, Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with the centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) run by Ziaur Rahman and Khalida Zia were better, but relations with the centre-left Awami League (AL) led by Sheikh Hasina Wajid were hostile towards Pakistan and hospitable towards India. The Hasina regime has always been sympathetic to India and has shown strictness against right-wing Islamic parties who praised Pakistan and favoured India over Islamabad. This policy was never appreciated by the common masses, who disliked Hasina’s anti-Pakistan posture with sinister designs of expressing animosity and antagonism; instead, the masses desired pleasing relations with Pakistan.
According to Nahid Islam, a student leader from Dhaka University,“ at the time of Hasina Wajid, Bangladesh’s domestic as well as foreign policy was hostage of New Delhi, she sells out the country’s sovereignty in front of Narendra Modi and the country become a colony of India.” Moreover, it is also fact that Hasina Wajid government always used abusive language against Pakistan and its defence forces which makes Hasina Wajid irrelevant in the internal politics. Thus, it was perceived that Hasina’s propagation against Islamabad was a well-thought-out media plan in order to spread venom against Pakistan as a shield for regime sur-vival but masses categorically rejected her anti-Pakistan perception and annoyed with her pro-Indian stance. Hasina also targeted Urdu speaking Bihari community in Bangladesh who are known as ‘stranded Pakistanis. They suffered socio-cultural discrimination in her regime. According to Amnesty International, Biharis suffered discrimination under Hasina regime and thousands have been killed either by direct violence by Awami League workers supported by the state law and order agencies who torture community by physical aggression. Now the appropriate time has arrived that Pakistan and Bangladesh governments have to reasonably resolve this issue through mutual understanding.
With this background, the end of brutal Hussain Wajid Regime led by youth uprising on August 5, 2025 renewed Bangladesh’s relations with Pakistan. The new government is taking accurate measures to manage country’s seemingly worsening ties with Islamabad and removed an obstacle for the promotion of possible better relations with Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan is moving forward for socio-economic cooperation with Bangladesh to achieve the goals of development and prosperity for both nations. So, both countries have shown determination to establish cordial relations and committed to take advantage of the contemporary geo-economic competition.
Interestingly, Pakistan and Bangladesh have a pivotal position in South Asia and both can play a significant role for economic prosperity in pursuit of peace and stability in the region. Both can promote free trade and eliminate barriers to boost economic growth. Moreover, both governments are in agreement to resume direct flights between Islamabad-Dhaka and Bangladeshi government has approved two Pakistani airlines, Fly Jinnah and Air Sial to operate for strengthened bilateral ties. This action will enhance trade, tourism, cultural activities and people to people cooperation. Furthermore, Pakistan’s total trade with Bangladesh surpassed $1 billion and its exports to Bangladesh are around US$778.11 million and imports from Bangladesh are US$46.01 million.
The major exports to Bangladesh include woven cotton fabrics, rice, salt, plastic material, cement edible vegetable and imports are jute and other textile fibers to Pakistan. Nevertheless, after many years of suffering and irritation, the era of rejoicing has come for both nations to build a positive atmosphere. It is a better way to move forward and to enhance mutual socio-economic cooperation for mutual benefits. So, the time has arrived that the two nations must benefit from each other in the field of education, engineering, medicine, technology, agriculture, IT, AI and energy for more progress and development. Needless to say, both need better understanding, mutual respect, trust and constructive strategies for economic progress to achieve sustainable development, social justice and security.
—The writer is a Defence and Security Analyst based in Islamabad.
