theTripurapost News Images

Pakistani Warship Docks in Bangladesh After 54 Years

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Chittagong
  • Nov 09, 2025
  • 554

For the first time since the 1971 Liberation War, a Pakistani naval ship has arrived in Bangladesh. The frigate PNS Saif docked at Chittagong port on Saturday for a four-day goodwill visit, marking a significant shift in regional diplomatic dynamics.

According to the Bangladesh Navy, the ship—commanded by Captain Shujaat Abbas Raja—was ceremonially received at sea by the Bangladeshi vessel BNS Shadhinota, which escorted it to the port. The visit aims to strengthen defense cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries. It will conclude on November 12.

During the visit, officers from both navies will hold meetings and exchange views on naval collaboration and maritime security. Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf is also in Bangladesh on an official tour coinciding with the ship’s stay.

However, reports indicate that the PNS Saif is currently facing a technical issue with its HP-5 stabilizer system—an essential component for maintaining balance and navigation. Defense analysts warn that this malfunction could affect the vessel’s performance at sea. The ship, built in China and commissioned in 2010, has faced similar problems as its sister ships PNS Shamsheer and PNS Asalat.

China reportedly charged Pakistan about ₹6,375 crore for the supply of this class of frigates. Repeated mechanical defects have reignited debate over the quality and reliability of Chinese military hardware, which, despite being cheaper, often faces durability issues.

Diplomatic observers note that Dhaka-Islamabad relations have been warming since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. Pakistan was among the first nations to recognize Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration, which has since signed six bilateral agreements with Islamabad covering trade, education, media, and cultural cooperation.

In contrast, relations between India and Bangladesh have become strained in recent months. With Sheikh Hasina currently taking refuge in India, the docking of a Pakistani warship at Chittagong, built with Chinese technology, is viewed in New Delhi as a potential strategic concern.

Chittagong’s proximity to India’s eastern coastline gives both Pakistan and China a potential strategic vantage point in the Bay of Bengal. Defense analysts believe the growing naval presence of foreign powers—including recent visits by U.S. vessels—could alter the regional maritime balance.

The Bangladesh Navy described the visit as a gesture of friendship and goodwill, asserting that it would “further strengthen cooperation and mutual respect between the two countries.”