Mirza on Saturday met the interim government’s chief adviser Md Yunus and has plans to meet chiefs of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force. Bangladesh National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider were present during the meeting.
“They discussed a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, including the growing importance of bilateral trade, investment and defence cooperation. Dhaka-Karachi air route is expected to open within months,” said a readout of the meeting published by Bangladesh.
Mirza is the seniormost Pakistani military officer to visit Dhaka since the two militaries started to rebuild ties this January. There are some reports that Mirza could visit some border areas closer to the northern part of West Bengal.
It may be recalled that the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, has sought to regain its influence in Bangladesh within months of PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.
Spy Ring
Establishing ISI presence in strategic areas of Bangladesh in what would revive Pakistan Army’s presence in the same areas from the pre-1971 days figured high on the agenda when the ISI brass visited Dhaka this January. ET had then reported that the ISI is seeking to establish its presence in Cox’s Bazar, Ukhia, Teknaf, Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sherpur areas of Bangladesh.