Bangladesh's Yunus Led Interim Government Relaxes Visa Rules For Pakistani Nationals, Sparking Security Concerns For India

Bangladesh’s interim government has relaxed visa rules for Pakistani nationals and people of Pakistani origin, eliminating the requirement for prior security clearance.

This move could reportedly pose a significant security challenge for India along its eastern and northeastern borders.

Historically, Awami League governments maintained cautious relations with Pakistan due to the atrocities of 1971 and the ISI’s suspected involvement in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

In 2019, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, a directive was issued mandating 'no objection' clearance for Pakistani citizens before obtaining Bangladeshi visas.

Despite repeated demands, Pakistan has yet to issue a formal apology for the 1971 genocide, delaying the normalisation of ties under successive Awami League administrations.

Security analysts have reportedly expressed concern that the 2 December decision to reverse the 2019 directive could enable extremists and terrorists to travel to Bangladesh, which shares a 4,000 km-long border with India.

They also recalled Pakistan’s ISI activities during the 2001–2006 BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami government, where northeastern insurgents and groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba operated from Bangladeshi soil.

Terror attacks in India during that period were reportedly traced to Bangladesh, with Pakistan implicated in incidents such as the 2004 arms smuggling attempt via Chittagong port.

Experts allege some BNP ministers were complicit in aiding terrorism.

Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Pakistan’s high commission in Dhaka has actively engaged with the BNP leadership to rebuild influence.

On Tuesday (3 December), Pakistan’s High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof met BNP leader Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.

In a related development, a Pakistani cargo ship recently docked at Chittagong Port for the first time since 1971.

Pakistan may also be leveraging its ties to support Islamist elements in Bangladesh if the BNP regains power.

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