PAKISTAN and Bangladesh are moving closer to a defence partnership as senior air force officials from both countries held talks on a possible pact that could include the sale of JF-17 fighter jets to Dhaka.
Pakistan’s military said Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met his Bangladeshi counterpart Hasan Mahmood Khan in Islamabad to discuss defence cooperation and aircraft procurement. The talks focused on the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft developed by Pakistan with China.
Pakistan also assured Bangladesh of faster delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with training and long-term technical support, the military said.
The discussions come as Islamabad seeks to expand its defence exports and strengthen ties with Bangladesh after years of limited engagement.
Relations between the two south Asian countries have improved since mass protests in August 2024 forced Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, straining Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi.
Pakistan’s military said the meeting reflected a shared interest in building long-term defence cooperation. Officials from both sides have held several meetings in recent months, alongside efforts to revive trade links that were largely frozen after Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.
As part of the broader reset in relations, Bangladesh’s national carrier will resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi from January 29, restoring non-stop air travel after more than a decade. The route is expected to support business, official travel and people-to-people contact.
The JF-17 has become central to Pakistan’s defence industry and has already been exported to countries including Azerbaijan. Islamabad has said growing foreign interest in its military equipment could boost the country’s economy.
Bangladesh, currently under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is due to hold elections in February.
Observers say the outcome could further shape Dhaka’s foreign and defence policy, including its growing engagement with Pakistan.
(Agencies)
