Editorial
After a long silence in the skies between Karachi and Dhaka, Pakistan and Bangladesh have taken a meaningful step toward rebuilding practical ties by restoring direct air connectivity after 14 years. The arrival of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ inaugural commercial flight in Karachi on Thursday was more than a routine aviation event; it was a symbolic moment that hinted at renewed willingness on both sides to move beyond past inertia.
The first flight, carrying 150 passengers, was warmly received at Jinnah International Airport, while the return journey to Dhaka departed with 140 passengers — a clear sign of pent-up demand. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori rightly described the development as historic, noting its potential to deepen bilateral relations that have long remained underutilised.
Direct flights are not merely about convenience. They are essential infrastructure for diplomacy, trade, tourism, and human connection. For years, travellers between the two countries were forced to rely on indirect routes, increasing costs and discouraging interaction. The restoration of a direct link removes a practical barrier and sends a message that engagement, rather than distance, should define future relations.
With Biman initially operating two weekly flights using Boeing 737 aircraft, the step may appear modest. Yet its implications are far-reaching. Easier travel can encourage business partnerships, revive cultural and academic exchanges, and strengthen people-to-people contacts — all areas where Pakistan and Bangladesh share untapped potential.
The presence of senior aviation authorities and the Bangladesh High Commissioner at the ceremony underlined the official commitment behind the move. However, sustaining this momentum will require consistency, trust-building, and further cooperation beyond aviation.
This resumed air link should be seen as a starting point, not an endpoint. If nurtured wisely, it can help both countries gradually replace years of disengagement with dialogue, connectivity, and mutually beneficial cooperation — one flight at a time.
