Direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh are expected to start in January 2026. The flight operations will initially begin from Karachi to Dhaka, as the two countries move towards restoring full aviation connectivity, according to a news report.
As per officials, aviation authorities in both countries have authenticated the resumption of flight services, reflecting an improvement in the bilateral relations and restoration of ties decades-long stalled ties. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, conveyed the development during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Mohammad Yunus, at the State Guest House in Dhaka on Sunday.
Read more:Yemen strike shows depth of distrust between Saudi Arabia and UAE
The High Commissioner informed the Bangladeshi leadership that the direct Karachi-Dhaka flights would commence in January. During the meeting, both sides discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation, alongside strengthening cultural, educational, and medical exchanges as well.
“During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation, as well as scaling up cultural, educational, and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations,” said a statement shared on X by Bangladesh’s interim leader.
Haider, during the meeting, also noted that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 per cent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities.
The high commissioner further highlighted a “significant increase” in cultural exchanges, adding that “Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence”.
“Pakistan has witnessed a rise in patients travelling to its leading hospitals for liver and kidney transplants,” said Islamabad’s envoy.
Haider said since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the bilateral trade has increased by around 20 percent as compared to last year. Business communities in both the countries are exploring new opportunities of investments. The relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh started improving following the exit of Sheikh Hasina Wajid, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh who ruled the country for more than 30 years.
Pakistan’s senior military leadership too visited Bangladesh in an effort to improve military ties as well. Ishaq Dar also visited Bangladesh and met the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khalida Zia and enquired about her health. Khalida Zia passed away on December 30 in Bangladesh.
