ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan has confirmed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to begin three weekly flights to Karachi. He shared the update while speaking to The News during an event at the Foreign Services Academy on Wednesday. The academy has launched a new lecture series for foreign envoys to help young Pakistani diplomats understand regional issues through direct interaction.
The high commissioner stated that Bangladesh is ready to start direct flights with Pakistan after several years of limited air connectivity. He said the national airline will operate three flights every week to Karachi. When asked about the flight route, he confirmed that the aircraft would fly over Indian airspace, just as Indian airlines can use Bangladesh’s airspace.
However, sources say there is no immediate possibility for Pakistani carriers to launch their own direct flights to Dhaka. India’s continued airspace restrictions on Pakistan have created operational challenges, making it difficult for Pakistani airlines to plan new routes to Bangladesh.
Earlier, High Commissioner Khan addressed young diplomats in a detailed lecture followed by an interactive Q&A session. He said South Asia has enormous potential for trade and regional cooperation, but border limitations and political tensions continue to block economic growth. He added that platforms like the academy’s new lecture series allow young future diplomats to learn about these challenges.
The envoy highlighted that Pakistan and Bangladesh can expand trade, yet access constraints remain a major issue. He recalled that both countries once enjoyed railway links, which made trade smoother. Today, Pakistani dates reach nearby markets through Dubai because of the lack of direct flights and transport routes.
He emphasized that direct access would raise profits for farmers and help traditional industries, including dates and the centuries-old pashmina trade in Kashmir. He also noted that South Asia’s biggest obstacle is weak connectivity, even though ancient routes once linked Kabul, Peshawar, Dhaka, and Myanmar.
The high commissioner said no country can progress alone and that cooperation is the only path to sustainable growth. He named BIMSTEC as an important regional organization but said its effectiveness is often reduced by border restrictions and power politics.
He added that shared history, cultural ties, and maritime trade have shaped South Asia’s identity. The younger generation, he said, is more aware and eager for change, and political shifts in Bangladesh in 2024 have brought new hope.
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He concluded by expressing optimism that South Asian nations can build a new era of shared progress if they prioritise cooperation and regional connectivity.
