Pakistan, Bangladesh to start direct flights soon

ISLAMABAD: Direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin in the coming months, including cargo flights to enhance trade and business exchanges.

“This major step will boost connectivity and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two countries,” said Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan, Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan.

He made these remarks during a meeting with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi.

Islamabad-Dhaka relations have improved since the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. Hasina, 77, fled to India in August 2024 after a student-led revolution removed her from power. Her government had close ties with New Delhi, but relations between Bangladesh and India have since deteriorated.

Pakistan wants ‘complete peace’ in Gaza and the West Bank

Last month, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of a conference in Egypt. Yunus later announced that both countries had agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

During the meeting, the Bangladeshi high commissioner also revealed that cargo flights between Dhaka, Karachi, and Lahore would begin soon, further enhancing trade and business exchanges. He highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to improving business partnerships with Pakistan and noted that Pakistani citizens can easily obtain Bangladeshi visas online.

Hussain encouraged joint ventures and industrial collaborations, saying both countries could benefit from stronger trade ties. He pointed out that Pakistan exports sugar, steel, surgical instruments, cement, dry fruits, pink salt, dairy products, marble, and coal to Bangladesh. In return, Pakistan could import items like tea and jute from Bangladesh, creating a complementary trade relationship.

ICCI President Qureshi stressed the importance of economic diplomacy, saying businesses from both countries could achieve major milestones through cooperation. He expressed plans to lead a delegation of potential investors to Bangladesh soon, aiming to sign agreements with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other trade bodies.

Qureshi also highlighted ICCI’s facilitation desks, which assist businesses in resolving challenges and improving the ease of doing business.