Senior BD general in Pakistan on a rare visit

Lt-Gen Kamr-ul-Hassan holds separate meetings with army chief, CJCSC

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ISLAMABAD:

A top Bangladeshi military official is on a rare visit to Pakistan and visited the General Headquarters in (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday to hold meetings with Pakistan military leadership.

Lt-Gen S M Kamr-ul-Hassan, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh, who is the second in command, is the first top Bangladeshi general to have travelled to Islamabad in many years.

The visit of the Lt-Gen Hassan, who is accompanied by senior army officers, highlights the shift in bilateral ties between the two countries since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government in August last year as a result of violent protests.

Relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained standstill during the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina, who repeatedly rebuffed peace overtures by Pakistan. But since her ouster from power, there has been visible improvement in ties between the two countries.

Both sides have stepped up their contacts and several meetings took place at the leadership level over the past few months to reset the relationship. The visit of the Bangladesh Army delegation led by a senior general is seen as yet another indication of a warming relationship between the two countries.

The Bangladeshi general held separate meetings with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, according to the military's media wing.

During meeting between the army chief and Lt-Gen Hassan held extensive discussions on the evolving security dynamics in the region and explored further the avenues for enhancing the bilateral military cooperation."

Both generals, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), underscored the importance of a "stronger defence relationship", emphasising that the enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain "resilient against external influences".

The army chief reiterated the significance of "joint efforts" to promote "peace and stability" in South Asia and the broader region, while ensuring that both nations continued to contribute to regional security through collaborative defence initiatives.

Meanwhile, Lt-Gen Hassan, along with his delegation, held a detailed meeting with CJCSC General Mirza, at the Joint Staff Headquarters (JSHQ). Their discussions focused on matters of "mutual strategic interest" and explored avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening military ties and reaffirmed their commitment to insulating this partnership from any external disruptions. General Mirza and Lt-Gen Hassan agreed on the "critical need" for continued collaboration in promoting regional "peace, security, and stability."

The CJCSC reiterated that both countries shared a "common vision" for a secure and prosperous future, underpinned by robust defence cooperation. Lt-Gen Hassan lauded the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and expressed deep admiration for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, recognising the resilience and dedication displayed by the forces.