In a significant development for South Asian connectivity, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, has announced that direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka are expected to commence in January. This breakthrough came during a meeting with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus.
A Bridge Between Sister Nations
The establishment of a direct air link is more than just a new travel route. It represents a practical and long-overdue connection between two sister states of the subcontinent. This initiative is poised to significantly boost existing upward trends in business collaboration, trade, and academic exchanges. The start date is targeted for January, providing a tangible symbol of the ongoing historic rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
This move is seen as a powerful gesture that consolidates recent diplomatic warmth. It effectively begins to undo decades of estrangement, a situation many believe was artificially sustained by external regional forces, notably India and its collaborators.
The Imperative for a United Front
Analysts argue that this rapprochement is not merely beneficial but essential, given the current geopolitical climate. There is a growing consensus that Bangladesh is now facing the kind of unchecked Indian coercion that Pakistan has endured for decades. This pressure aims to silence critical voices within Bangladesh that oppose Indian interference.
The threats are not covert. Statements from influential Indian figures like Yogi Adityanath, who openly invokes the concept of Akhand Bharat and has made threatening remarks about Bangladesh and Pakistan, highlight the gravity of the situation. The risk of Indian military adventurism is considered genuine, particularly in India's volatile northeast regions.
Strategic Alignment for Regional Stability
As religious bigotry and aggressive nationalism rise within India, regional stability becomes increasingly fragile. In this environment, a deeper strategic alignment between Pakistan and Bangladesh is viewed as a necessary step for mutual security. Such cooperation, potentially alongside a partner like China, could create a regional balance capable of restraining growing belligerence.
This is not framed as a provocation but as a rational and urgent response for collective resilience. The ultimate goal of Pakistan's diplomatic outreach should be to forge a united front based on shared interests, historical understanding, and a clear assessment of future challenges. The upcoming air link is a concrete first step on this critical path.
