High Commissioner Confirms Three Weekly Dhaka-Karachi Flights; Will Use Indian Airspace
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, has officially confirmed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to launch three weekly direct flights to Karachi. Making the announcement during a lecture at the Foreign Services Academy, the High Commissioner specified that the new route would traverse Indian airspace, mirroring the arrangement that allows Indian aircraft to use Bangladesh’s airspace. This development signifies a major step toward restoring air links between the two countries, though sources indicate that due to India’s ongoing airspace restrictions on Pakistan, there are currently no immediate prospects for Pakistani carriers to operate flights to Dhaka.
Regional Politics and Connectivity Constraints Impede South Asia’s Vast Trade Potential, Says Envoy
During his address, High Commissioner Khan emphasized that South Asia possesses vast untapped potential for trade, connectivity, and cooperation, but this economic growth is severely obstructed by limited access, border restrictions, and entrenched regional politics. He provided examples of how better connectivity could significantly expand bilateral trade, noting that perishable goods like Pakistani dates currently reach regional markets indirectly via Dubai, substantially driving up costs. Direct market access, he argued, would boost profits and raise the incomes of farmers and traditional industry workers, citing the centuries-old pashmina industry as an example of a sector that could multiply trade volumes with direct routes.
Stressing that weak geographical connectivity is the most serious obstacle to progress in South Asia, the High Commissioner urged regional leaders to prioritize cooperation. He lamented that colonial mindsets, ideological dominance, and the regional supremacy ambitions of larger powers often weaken trust and hinder the effectiveness of regional groupings like BIMSTEC. However, he expressed optimism, noting that the younger generation in South Asia is more aware, ambitious, and eager for change. He concluded by asserting that a new era of regional trade and shared development is possible if South Asian nations commit to collective progress and place cooperation at the heart of their policymaking.
