Delhi 'concerned' as Pakistani influence increases in Dhaka : Anandabazar Patrika
September 28, 20242 Mins Read
International Desk: After the fall of the Awami League government, Pakistan's influence in Bangladesh increased rapidly, and the feared South Block. For the past one and a half months, the South Block feels that the process of erasing the memory of the 1971 genocide and accepting Pakistan as a 'friend' on defense, trade and cultural levels has begun. The activity of the Pakistani Embassy in Dhaka has increased by leaps and bounds.

This information has been highlighted in a report by Agni Roy published in the online edition of the popular Bengali daily Anandabazar in India.

According to the report, the Interim Government of Bangladesh is buying 35 thousand 7.62mm AK-15 Second Hand Assault Rifles from Pakistan in the name of strengthening the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

It is reported that three weeks after Sheikh Hasina's resignation, the interim government has ordered a fresh supply of artillery ammunition to Pakistan. It contains more than 40 thousand rounds of ammunition, 40 tons of RDX. This huge amount of ammunition will reach Bangladesh by December. To deepen defense ties between the two countries, Pakistani army officers will train Bangladesh in anti-terrorist operations. Bangladesh Army will also take part in joint training in Cherat in Pakistan.

After the fall of Hasina's government, a new chapter in Dhaka's relations with Islamabad has begun in various fields, including political, diplomatic, commercial and cultural. Pakistan's 'Punjab Board of Investment and Trade' has sent to their embassy seeking information about potential Bangladeshi investors in Dhaka. The embassy was also directed to promote trade and investment in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Apart from this, on August 14, Islamabad introduced free visa facility for several countries including Bangladesh. With the support and funding of Pakistan, a group of Bangladesh-based businessmen have formed an organization called 'Bangladesh-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce'.

Not only the official meeting with Shahbaz Sharif organized recently in New York, Sharif also had a telephone conversation with the chief adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus. Earlier, Yunus gave a message of friendship during a courtesy meeting with Pakistani High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maruf in Dhaka.

High Commissioner Maruf met with Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and claimed that the recently announced visa fee-free entry facility will enhance bilateral relations. They also discussed flying between the two countries.

Two weeks ago, the 76th death anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated at the National Press Club in Dhaka. Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Kamran Dhangal was present on the occasion. On the same day, a meeting organized by the ISI decided to allow local Bihari Muslim students to learn Urdu. It was decided that the cost of teaching them Urdu would be borne by the Pakistani embassy. Pakistan has also decided to give long-term business visas to businessmen of Bihari origin.- Anandabazar Patrika