On February 22, 1974, on the occasion of second Islamic summit held in Lahore, Pakistan made a historic decision to recognise Bangladesh as Dhaka was not ready to attend that conference without seeking recognition from Islamabad. Five decades after granting diplomatic recognition to Dhaka by Islamabad it is time to analyse why the two countries are unable to mend fences and how they can make a breakthrough in their stagnant relations.

Barring pleasant and unpleasant phases in Pak-Bangladesh relations till today, technology and social media tend to motivate youths of the two countries to move ahead and build blocks of friendship. Several newsgroups promoting goodwill and understanding between the two peoples are functional. Lack of physical connectivity particularly direct flights and sea linkages between the cities of Bangladesh and Pakistan along with obstacles in the issuance of visas is a major impediment for promoting economic, trade, cultural, educational and scientific ties.

By the end of 2021 it looked as if Bangladesh and Pakistan were moving in the direction of stabilising their relations which got ruptured when Dhaka heavily criticised Islamabad’s position opposing death sentence awarded to the leaders of Jamaat-i-Islami and BNP for their alleged crimes during the 1971 war. Then High Commissioner of Pakistan to Dhaka Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui took personal interest in mending fences with Bangladesh when he held several meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and invited her to visit Pakistan. Telephonic conversation between then Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reflected gradual warmth in the bilateral ties. In order to express goodwill for the people of Bangladesh, Pakistan announced........

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