Pakistan, Bangladesh resume direct flights after 14-year hiatus: the full story

KARACHI/DHAKA: Pakistan and Bangladesh have resumed direct air connectivity after a 14-year suspension, marking a significant step toward improved bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations.

On January 29, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated its first direct flight from Dhaka to Karachi, departing at around 8:15 PM (Pakistan Time) and landing at Jinnah International Airport shortly before 11:00 PM. The flight, carrying approximately 150 passengers, was accorded a traditional water cannon salute on arrival, underscoring the symbolic importance of the occasion.

The restored service will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, with a non-stop flight time of about four hours. Until now, passengers were forced to travel via third-country hubs such as Dubai or Doha, extending journey times to over 10 hours and significantly increasing travel costs.

POLITICS BEHIND THE FLIGHT SUSPENSION

Direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh were halted in 2012 amid strained political relations. The roots of these tensions trace back to the events of 1971, when Bangladesh emerged as an independent state following a brief but violent conflict involving Pakistan and India.

After the 1947 partition of British India, Pakistan was geographically divided into two wings, West Pakistan and East Pakistan, separated by more than 1,000 miles of Indian territory. Political and economic disparities, coupled with linguistic and cultural differences, fuelled unrest in East Pakistan, culminating in a military crackdown in March 1971. India’s subsequent intervention and support for Bengali forces led to the creation of Bangladesh in December that year.

In the decades that followed, bilateral ties remained uneasy, complicated by unresolved historical grievances, war crimes trials, and the issue of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh. Relations further deteriorated during former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, particularly after Bangladesh initiated trials against individuals accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces in 1971. While the 2012 suspension of flights was officially attributed to security concerns, analysts viewed it as part of broader diplomatic distancing.

DIPLOMATIC THAW AFTER 2024

A shift began following Bangladesh’s political transition in 2024, which brought an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The new administration signalled a desire to rebalance foreign relations and re-engage with Pakistan.

This thaw was reinforced through a series of diplomatic exchanges, including Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Dhaka in August 2025. Officials on both sides have described the resumption of direct flights as the beginning of a “new chapter” in bilateral ties.

Authorities expect the restored air link to facilitate trade, tourism, educational exchanges, and greater people-to-people contact. Pakistan’s key exports to Bangladesh include textiles and pharmaceuticals, while Bangladesh exports jute products and ready-made garments. Aviation officials have indicated that additional airlines may begin operating the route in the coming months.

A SYMBOLIC RESET

The revival of direct flights after more than a decade is being viewed as more than a logistical development. It reflects a broader recalibration of regional relationships and signals cautious optimism that Pakistan and Bangladesh are prepared to move beyond long-standing tensions toward pragmatic cooperation.