ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh are working to resume flight operations in a bid to boost trade, tourism, and medical travel between the two countries, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Friday.
Responding to a question during the Question Hour at the National Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament, he said Bangladesh has allowed two Pakistani airlines, namely “Fly Jinnah” and “Air Sial”, to operate flights between the two countries.
He told the House that Pakistan places great value on its relationship with Bangladesh and has launched several political and economic initiatives to strengthen bilateral cooperation. He noted that high-level engagements between the two countries have recently been reestablished.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs added that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the export of 200,000 metric tons of rice to Bangladesh, with 50,000 metric tons already delivered. He also highlighted that Bangladesh has simplified its business visa process for Pakistani investors, further facilitating economic collaboration.
Direct air connections between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been limited for several years, forcing most travelers to route their journeys through Middle Eastern hubs.
Ties between the two countries have improved since the fall of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, who was seen as closely aligned with India and critical of Pakistan. This shift occurred following the student-led uprising in August 2024.
Pakistan has sought to strengthen its relations with Bangladesh in recent months, particularly as tensions remain between Dhaka and New Delhi, following India’s decision to offer asylum to Hasina after she fled Bangladesh.
Pakistan has also extended an offer to Bangladesh to utilise the Karachi Port to facilitate its trade with regional nations, including China and the Central Asian states. This offer was made during the 9th Pak-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Dhaka.
