In a significant policy shift, Bangladeshi authorities have lifted security clearance requirements for Pakistani nationals.
The change comes amid a rapid improvement in relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has since sought refuge in India. This shift is part of a broader realignment in Bangladesh’s foreign policy after Hasina’s departure from office.
Under her administration, which was in power since 2009, several trade restrictions were imposed, including the placement of certain Pakistani products on a “red list,” which hindered the clearance of goods and caused a decline in exports.
A landmark moment in this thawing relationship was the recent resumption of maritime trade, marked by a cargo ship from Pakistan arriving in Bangladesh for the first time in nearly two decades. This is being viewed as a “dramatic change” in bilateral relations after years of strained ties.
Historically, the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been fraught, stemming from the 1971 war and Bangladesh’s subsequent independence.
With interim leadership under Mohammed Yunus, efforts to repair the relationship have gained traction. Pakistani embassy officials in Bangladesh noted that traders from both countries successfully worked together to lift the “red list” designation on Bangladeshi imports in September, further signaling a willingness to deepen cooperation and trade despite external scrutiny, particularly from India.
