Imran Chowdhury BEM

In what appears to be an inexplicable and startling development, Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed an agreement for direct shipping between Karachi and Chittagong after more than five decades of severed links. For many Bangladeshis, the deal scratches at deep scars, reopening the wounds of 1971 when Pakistan’s military committed atrocities that have yet to be meaningfully reconciled. But this deal has brought more questions than answers beyond the historical trauma. Can such an agreement ever really be “just business,” or is it the harbinger of a calculated subterfuge masked in maritime diplomacy?

The timing alone is suspicious. The agreement’s ink is barely dry, and whispers have already begun to circulate about what this connection might really entail. Critics argue that it is an open door for Pakistan to smuggle its vices across borders. We are talking about a shadowy mix of human trafficking, illicit narcotics, counterfeit currency, and arms—the types of dark commodities that turn diplomatic manoeuvres into national security nightmares.

Anyone with a memory that extends beyond the past news cycle knows that Pakistan has long harboured interests that conflict with regional stability. The country’s link to insurgencies and its dubious history of aiding and abetting extremist groups are well-documented. How convenient, then, that direct shipping between Pakistan and Bangladesh would provide a streamlined route for trafficking, not just to Bangladesh but also potentially spilling into the vulnerable border regions of India’s northeast and Myanmar, exacerbating existing security challenges. Are we to believe that Pakistan, of all countries, has suddenly decided to act in Bangladesh’s best interests?

There’s more to this than meets the eye, and no doubt more than what officials on either side are willing to admit. After all, Pakistan’s military and intelligence networks are masters of layering the innocent over the insidious. Could this direct shipping agreement, then, be yet another conduit for arms flow to insurgent groups in Myanmar? Perhaps a way to fuel separatist movements under the guise of economic cooperation?

What is incredibly unsettling is the vagueness surrounding the protocols and regulations this route will follow. The secrecy raises suspicions that the Karachi-Chittagong line is less about facilitating trade and more about facilitating exploitation. After all, a direct route between these ports would remove intermediary checks, allowing goods (or contraband) to flow relatively unchecked. It’s as though Pakistan is dangling a poisoned carrot, and one Bangladesh has hesitantly reached for without fully recognising the potential ramifications.

Furthermore, the historical enmity between these two nations, stemming from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, raises the question: Why now? Pakistan’s sudden interest in a direct shipping line with a country it once oppressed should have triggered more thorough scrutiny. The international community has largely been silent, watching from afar as Bangladesh entertains a dance with its former oppressor, seemingly forgetting the treacherous implications of opening such a door.

Bangladesh should be wary. It is not a leap to suggest that this ‘shipping agreement’ could serve as a direct artery for Pakistan’s infamous arsenal of counterfeit currency, potentially destabilizing Bangladesh’s economy. This scourge has long plagued India. From there, it’s only a hop, skip, and jump to Myanmar, where separatist groups could benefit from this direct line of covert resources. And all the while, Pakistan, as it has so often, could play the innocent, claiming it is merely engaging in economic cooperation.

With such a precarious setup in the works, the real question Bangladesh needs to ask is: who stands to gain from this direct route? History shows that Pakistan’s definition of “brotherhood” can be as mutable as it is manipulative, turning on its own people for political gain and fostering regional instability as a tool for leverage. Is Bangladesh prepared to take the risk that this agreement is nothing more than a ploy to weaken its sovereignty and open its backdoor to regional chaos?

It’s high time Bangladesh approached this development with a healthy dose of scepticism. For Pakistan, this agreement might very well be a cloak hiding the latest trick up its salwar and kurta. And unless Bangladesh looks past the allure of direct trade and sees the Trojan horse this shipping line could become, it may find itself unwittingly bound to the machinations that once tore it apart.

Imran Chowdhury BEM is a respected strategic thinker, renowned for his insightful analysis of geopolitical issues, history, and diaspora affairs. As an author of numerous books and over a thousand newspaper articles, he brings a seasoned perspective to global politics, focusing on social cohesion and the dynamics of South Asian geopolitics. His writings explore the intersections of history, sovereignty, and the Bangladeshi diaspora’s role within broader socio-political landscapes. Imran’s deep understanding of cultural identity and global alliances has positioned him as a leading voice in promoting cultural preservation, community empowerment, and nuanced discourse on international relations.