More than five decades after separation, Pakistan and Bangladesh find themselves at a rare moment where history invites reflection rather than confrontation. The two countries, which share a common past and remained united for twenty-four years after the end of British colonial rule in 1947, now stand at a point that calls for a serious reassessment of their bilateral ties as well as their broader regional relationships. This reassessment has gained renewed relevance in the wake of the July political upheaval in Bangladesh, which brought an end to the long rule of Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who dominated the country’s political landscape for nearly fifteen years. Her tenure, frequently criticised by rights groups and opposition voices, was marked by shrinking civic space, curbs on freedom of expression, and the growing use of surveillance within public and institutional life. This period will also likely be remembered as a particularly strained phase in Pakistan–Bangladesh relations, despite the deep historical, religious, and cultural affinities the two societies share. Today, as the country enters a phase of political........

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