Pak-BD synergy raises hope for revival of Saarc

Islamabad:Dr Usman Chohan, Director, Economic Affairs & National Development, Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) has said that moving beyond bloc and past politics, the recent synergy between Pakistan and Bangladesh offers a promising opportunity for the revival of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) which has been practically dysfunctional for over a decade.

Dr Chohan was speaking at a discussion organised here by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). Dr Chohan said that renewed commitment of both states to work together for regional peace and prosperity amid geopolitical challenges is encouraging. However, beyond government ties, fostering people-to-people connections is essential for sustained and prosperous cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh, he said.

Dr Chohan stated that the chances of the Awami League regaining a majority were slim. While the party would still be a potential political force, a crucial point was that the anti-Pakistan campaign launched by the Awami League suffered a major setback as the people of Bangladesh have recognised the truth and would not give up and “this is significant,” he stressed.

He emphasised that mutual respect and acceptance are essential for strengthening the bond between Pakistan and Bangladesh. He stressed the importance of leveraging recent synergies to strengthen people-to-people connections, highlighting tourism, cultural exchange programmes and collaboration in music and film industries as key to countering negative portrayals of Pakistan and promoting cultural ties.

Jauhar Saleem, president, IRS, highlighted remarks by Saarc Secretary-General Golam Sarwar during his 2024 visit to the IRS, which underscored Bangladesh's renewed commitment to addressing challenges and promoting regional cooperation and development. He noted that recent meetings between government leaders including PM Shahbaz Sharif and Dr Yunus, along with the expected resumption of direct flights, would further strengthen bilateral relations, which he deemed crucial for a breakthrough at Saarc. In response to concerns about increased ties pressurising Bangladesh from India, Mr Saleem clarified that Pakistan-Bangladesh relations are not cantered on India, as both nations seek greater harmony and prosperity in a region long affected by wars and conflicts, resulting in minimal economic integration.