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Dr.Syed Mehboob
Senior Research Editor
The News Lark, political and economic analyst
Although there is a geographical distance of about 1,500 km from Pakistan to Bangladesh but there is no distance between Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Our hearts beat together. Those Pakistanis who recently visited Bangladesh when they came back shared a wonderful experience. They described Bangladesh as a country with an ocean of love, peace, and hospitality.
People of both countries want to move forward to start a new era of cooperation and understanding, and to forget past bitterness. 30th January,2026, was a historical day when direct flights between Pakistan (Karachi) and Bangladesh ( Dhaka) resumed, after a fourteen-year suspension. The flight from Karachi to Dhaka takes about three and a half hours. This resumption of flights between the two countries is the beginning of a new era of mutual friendship and cooperation, which will enhance people-to-people contact and create a better understanding between the two brother countries. This will pave the way for the enhancement of trade and economic cooperation. Climate Advisor to the Bangladesh Syeda Rizwana Hasan, High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan and Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UN ESCAP Fayyaz Murshid Kazi reflected unmistakable optimism surroundings Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. The sentiment is rooted in mutual respect, understanding, shared values and history and growing recognition of economic and cultural complementarities. Both countries people and leadership understand the importance of moving beyond past narratives, focusing on practical steps to deepen collaboration in trade, connectivity, education and people to people exchanges. There is great warmth and forward-looking confidence throughout the interaction. The tone conveyed goodwill and genuine eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties. The climate advisor stated that Dhaka is trying to expand its fleet for the national air carrier, Bangladesh Biman Airlines, to minimize travel difficulties without a direct air link. Endorsing her views, Kazi highlighted that Bangladesh Biman or private airlines lack sufficient fleets. Some are struggling, and only a few survive domestic and international competition.
The high commissioner suggested encouraging external players to use Fifth Freedom Flight and help establish air connectivity. He cited airlines from the UAE or China, which have regular flights to both countries. He said that if they could encourage them to establish direct connectivity, that could be helpful. Kazi reaffirmed political will at his country’s side whilst citing logistical challenges as one major hurdle. Pakistan’s debt situation and banking sector reforms in Bangladesh remain key constraints. However, he stressed reconnecting business communities to reassess opportunities and rebuild confidence, rather than waiting for financial conditions to stabilize fully. He further said that cleaning the financial sector at both ends would allow business to be incentivized and explore opportunities both countries have. For Bangladesh, Pakistan is a wider gateway to Central Asia, the Middle East and other countries. Similarly, Bangladesh could be an opening for Pakistan to Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan and Southeast Asian countries. The adviser said that both nations have to take that broader outlook and recalibrate their investment decisions.
Regarding recent bilateral contacts and engagements, including at the highest political level, encompassing civilian and military leaderships, these interactions are good signs for resuming bilateral economic cooperation.The priority is to revive trade, investment and connectivity linkages.
Currently, trade between the two countries is limited to traditional items. But there is scope for enhancing such trade. Bangladesh has a good pharmaceutical industry and can offer affordable pharmaceutical products to Pakistan. Bangladesh also has a growing electronics sector.
Similarly, Pakistan has competitive strength in products like sports goods and medical equipment that Bangladesh can rely upon. Additionally, there can be mutual investment on both sides. There have been Pakistani investments in Bangladesh, especially in readymade garments, but opportunities exist for more. Agri-processing is a focus of mutual interest due to high populations on both sides. Both countries have growing middle classes that would trigger food requirements. If Pakistan and Bangladesh invest in each other’s locations, in respective areas of competence, that can be win-win. Bangladesh has sufficient growth in inland fisheries.
Fish can be a good protein source for Pakistan’s population. Pakistan can consider investing in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector, including marine fishing, with buyback arrangements where Pakistani investors invest in Bangladesh and buy back products.
Bangladesh is a rice-importing country, and Pakistan can be a good source of rice and other agricultural products. Investment would be a priority. Air connectivity is crucial to resume direct flights between Dhaka-Islamabad and Dhaka-Karachi. Trading perishable agricultural goods requires air cargo. It’s not just about passengers, but cargo freight that both countries need.
Shipping connectivity is another important area. Pakistan has state-of-the-art port facilities. In Bangladesh, authorities are investing in enhancing the Chittagong port. A deep-sea port is being developed in Matharbari. Direct shipping lanes would be greatly helpful.
Bangladesh can offer Pakistan broader access to Southeast Asia and the Far East. Similarly, Pakistan can be a gateway for Bangladesh to Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Both sides need to leverage strategic locations on the Indian Ocean and support each other in expanding trade.
Pakistan is 250 million plus people. Bangladesh has population of 180 million plus. Together this this 430 million population is a great potential and both countries should take advantage of it and do every possible effort to enhance bilateral trade. There will be different views and opinions. And there is probably nothing bad about that. However, that’s the job of our leaders and politicians to synthesize the narrative rather than create a divisive narrative.
Civilizational linkages, cultural exchanges and religious affinities that Bangladesh shares with Pakistan.
Those who visited Bangladesh shared their experience with the media and said that the people of Bangladesh are highly cooperative, they love and like Pakistan and Pakistanis. Even the rickshaw drivers shared their love and invited the Pakistani visitors to their homes for dinner. Many shopkeepers and hotel owners refused to take money from them.
Bangladesh’s 54 years successful journey of development is very impressive and there is much lesson for developing countries to learn from this. Once poverty ridden, backward, low income country has made steady progress and now has the status of middle-income country. Bangladesh is the 4th largest producer of rice, 5th largest producer of fish in the world. It ranks first in Gender Equality Index in South Asian nations.
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a country in South Asia which is the eighth largest country of the world in terms of population with a population of 180 million people having an area of 148,460 sqr km and is one of the most densely populated countries of the world. It shares border with India to the west, north and east, and Myanmar to the southeast, to the south it has a coastline along the Bay of Bengal. Its capital is Dhaka which is also the largest city of Bangladesh and hub of its economy. Chittagong is its largest seaport. It is normally separated from Bhutan and Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim in the north.
Pakistan and Bangladesh relations have an excellent future prospects for the people of both the countries and would be highly beneficial for both.
