In a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, has announced that direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka are expected to commence in January 2025. The announcement came during a high-level meeting with Bangladesh government Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in Dhaka on Sunday.
Reviving Aviation Links and Expanding Cooperation
The meeting, held at the State Guest House in Dhaka, focused on revitalizing the crucial air link that has been suspended for nearly a decade. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) halted its five weekly flights to Dhaka on February 25, 2015, following a raid on its station manager's residence. A subsequent attempt to resume services faced another setback in 2018 due to an incident involving airline staff.
High Commissioner Haider and Chief Adviser Yunus discussed a broad roadmap to enhance partnership across multiple sectors. Key areas identified for deeper collaboration include:
- Trade and Investment: Exploring new avenues for joint ventures and business partnerships.
- Aviation: Restoring and potentially expanding direct air connectivity.
- Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Scaling up people-to-people contacts and academic linkages.
- Medical Cooperation: Facilitating medical tourism and specialized training.
Trade Growth and Emerging Opportunities
Highlighting the positive economic trajectory, High Commissioner Haider revealed that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh has grown by an impressive 20% compared to the previous year. Business communities from both nations are actively scouting for fresh investment opportunities, signaling strong mutual economic interest.
Beyond trade, the discussions unveiled promising trends in other fields. A notable increase in cultural exchanges was reported. Furthermore, Bangladeshi students are showing keen interest in pursuing higher education in Pakistan, particularly in cutting-edge fields like medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
Medical Tourism and Training on the Agenda
The health sector emerged as a focal point for collaboration. Haider pointed out a rising trend of Bangladeshi patients traveling to Pakistan's leading hospitals for advanced procedures like liver and kidney transplants. In response, Pakistan expressed readiness to offer specialized training and academic opportunities in transplantation-related medical fields to Bangladeshi professionals.
A Shared Vision for Stronger South Asian Ties
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus welcomed the growing interactions and emphasized the importance of increased visits and exchanges among SAARC member states. He underscored the need to further boost Bangladesh-Pakistan trade and expressed hope that during High Commissioner Haider's tenure, both countries would unlock new potentials for investment.
The meeting, also attended by SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed, marks a concerted effort to move past historical suspensions. It recalls a brighter period in aviation ties when PIA had doubled its flights to Dhaka back in 2011—a move that had reportedly raised concerns for Bangladesh's national carrier, Biman, at the time.
The anticipated January restart of direct flights is seen as more than just a restoration of an air route; it is a symbolic and practical step towards a new chapter of enhanced connectivity and comprehensive partnership between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
