ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said the South Asian country seeks to “broaden and expand” its relations with the United States (US), days after Prime Minister Imran Khan accused Washington of meddling in the country’s affairs.
At a rally on Sunday, Khan spoke of a purported letter that contained “threats” to his government, but did not name a country that sent it. Pakistani officials have since said the letter was a cable written by a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, who conveyed threats by a “senior foreign official.”
On Thursday, Khan named the US in his televised address to the nation, accusing it of backing a political campaign aimed at ousting him. He said the move was aimed at hindering his efforts to pursue an independent foreign policy for Pakistan. Washington has denied the allegations.
Gen Bajwa said while Pakistan enjoyed a close strategic relationship with China, it equally shared a long history of excellent strategic relationship with the US, which remained the largest export market for the South Asian nation.
“We seek to broaden and expand our ties with both countries without impacting our relationship with the other,” the army chief said, while addressing attendees at the two-day Islamabad Security Dialogue 2022.
“Similarly, the European Union, United Kingdom, Gulf, South East Asia and Japan are also vital for our national development and progress.”
Gen Bajwa’s comments were in contrast with what was recently said by PM Khan, who faces a no-trust vote in parliament, along with defections by over a dozen of his party’s lawmakers.
The Pakistani army chief expressed alarm over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describing it as “unfortunate.”
“Sadly, the Russian invasion against Ukraine is very unfortunate as thousands of people have been killed, millions made refugees and a half of Ukraine destroyed.”
“This is a huge tragedy which must be stopped immediately. Despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against a smaller country cannot be condoned.”
Pakistan supported a dialogue between all sides to find a lasting solution to the conflict, he said, calling for immediate cessation of hostilities.
After failing to take a major Ukrainian city since it launched the invasion on Feb. 24, Russia has shifted its focus to Ukraine’s southeast, where it has backed separatists since 2014.
Both countries recently agreed to humanitarian corridors during the war to facilitate the evacuation of civilians from cities, but have often traded blame when the evacuations have not been successful.
The conflict has killed thousands, uprooted a quarter of Ukraine’s population and devastated cities such as Mariupol.
Russia denies targeting civilians in what President Vladimir Putin calls a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarizing Ukraine.
Ukraine calls it an unprovoked war of aggression and Western countries have imposed sweeping sanctions in an effort to squeeze Russia’s economy.
Pakistan army chief says Islamabad seeks to ‘broaden and expand’ ties with US
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Pakistan army chief says Islamabad seeks to ‘broaden and expand’ ties with US
- Gen Qamar Bajwa’s comments contrast with PM Imran Khan’s accusations against Washington
- On Thursday, Khan said Washington was backing a political campaign aimed at ousting him
Pakistani, Bangladeshi officials discuss trade, investment and aviation as ties thaw
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between Pakistan, Bangladesh have warmed up since last year and both nations have resumed sea trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Sunday met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, the latter's office said on, with the two figures discussing trade, investment and aviation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024. Relations remain frosty between Dhaka and New Delhi over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
Pakistan has attempted to forge closer ties with Bangladesh in recent months and both South Asian nations last year began sea trade, followed by efforts to expand government-to-government commerce.
"During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation as well as scaling up cultural, educational and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations," Yunus's office said in a statement on X.
In 2023-24 Pakistan exported goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh, while its imports were only $57 million, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. In Aug. this year, the Pakistani and Bangladeshi commerce ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade, aiming to raise their bilateral trade volume to $1 billion in the financial year that began in July.
The Pakistani high commissioner noted that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 percent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities, according to the statement.
He highlighted a significant increase in cultural exchanges, adding that Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also said that Dhaka-Karachi direct flights are expected to start in January.
"Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the growing interactions between the two countries and emphasized the importance of increased visits as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states," the statement read.
"Professor Yunus also underscored the need to further boost Bangladesh–Pakistan trade and expressed hope that during Mr. Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new avenues for investment and joint venture businesses."
