Pakistan, Bangladesh envoys in UAE meet, propose direct flights from Islamabad, Karachi to Dhaka

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh discussed the resumption of direct flights between Islamabad, Karachi and Dhaka during a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, signaling a potential step toward closer bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation but split in 1971 after a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan secede to form an independent nation.
In the decades since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, maintained close ties with India, Pakistan’s arch-rival. However, ties between the two countries warmed up since her ouster in a student-led uprising last year in August, marking a new phase of bilateral relations.
The discussion focusing on the ties between both nations took place between Tareq Ahmed, the newly appointed Bangladeshi envoy to the United Arab Emirates, and Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE.
The interaction happened at Pakistan House in Abu Dhabi.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including cooperation in trade and investment, efforts to increase people-to-people contact, and resumption of direct flights from Islamabad and Karachi to Dhaka, were discussed,” said a statement released after the two diplomats met. “Both sides underscored the importance of supporting the welfare of the large Pakistani and Bangladeshi diaspora in the UAE.”
The Pakistani ambassador highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations and stressed the untapped trade potential that could contribute to their economic growth.
His counterpart reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan and emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation to tackle shared challenges in the region.
There have also been interactions on multilateral forums between the top leaders of both countries since the fall of Wajid’s administration.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Dhaka in the beginning of February to further consolidate relations between the two countries.