By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has given Bangladesh’s national airline permission to start flights between Dhaka and Karachi, marking a fresh step in rebuilding relations between the two nations more than five decades after their bitter split.
The approval from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority comes as ties warm following the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising in August 2024. Hasina, seen as close to India and often critical of Pakistan, fled to New Delhi, straining Dhaka’s relations with its giant neighbour.
“Pakistan has granted Biman, the national flag carrier of Bangladesh, initial permission for three months up to March 26 to operate flights between Dhaka and Karachi,” a PCAA spokesperson said, adding that the duration could be extended.
The move restores direct air links severed since the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s independence from what was then East Pakistan. It builds on recent efforts to boost trade and cooperation, including the start of sea shipments in late 2024 and a cargo agreement signed in November between the now-privatised Pakistan International Airlines and Biman. A PIA spokesperson said the cargo deal was part of the airline’s push to expand its freight business and provide more competitive services.
In February 2025, a cargo vessel from Pakistan docked directly in Bangladesh for the first time in decades, unloading containers, according to port officials. The two countries followed up in August with six agreements covering visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passports, trade cooperation, media collaboration and cultural exchanges, officials said.
Pakistan’s outreach to Dhaka reflects a broader strategy to strengthen regional alliances as Bangladesh navigates post-Hasina politics. Relations with India remain tense over New Delhi’s decision to grant asylum to the former leader.
Separately, Pakistan has cleared Britain’s Norse Atlantic Airways to fly to the country, adding to a flurry of aviation deals aimed at drawing more international carriers and easing fares. The low-cost airline will run direct services from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced X. “The increase in operations of international airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive environment leading to world-class service and balance in fares,” Asif said.
The UK hosts over 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin, making it a key market for travel and remittances. Norse Atlantic’s entry could intensify competition on these lucrative routes, potentially benefiting consumers with lower prices. Pakistan’s aviation sector has faced headwinds from high fuel costs, currency woes and regulatory hurdles, but recent privatisations and foreign approvals signal a push for reform under economic pressures from an International Monetary Fund bailout program.
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