After a 14-year pause, direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed on Thursday as Bangladesh’s national carrier touched down at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. The inaugural flight was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, marking the historic return of air connectivity between the two nations.
The flight, departing fully booked from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, was seen off by Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, and other senior officials.
Pakistan’s High Commission in Dhaka described the resumption as a “major milestone” in strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing connectivity. Sheikh Bashiruddin highlighted the importance of the Dhaka–Karachi route in promoting tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. He also announced plans for gradual increases in flight frequency and reductions in airfares to make travel more accessible.
The adviser expressed hope that citizens of Bangladesh would visit Pakistan to experience its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and diverse cuisine.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner emphasized that the move aligns with the vision of Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to enhance connectivity between the two countries. He recalled the agreement reached during Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Dhaka last August to immediately resume direct flights.
Relations between Bangladesh and India cooled following political changes, while ties with Pakistan have strengthened. Cargo shipping between Karachi and Chittagong restarted in November 2024, boosting trade. Cultural exchanges have also grown, with Pakistani artists performing in Dhaka and Bangladeshi patients traveling to Pakistan for medical care.