Islamabad, 19 Apr, 2025: In a promising move to enhance connectivity, Bangladesh Boost Regional Ties with Pakistan by officially launching a direct Shipping Link and Air Travel corridor between the ports of Karachi and Chittagong.
Both nations emphasized the strategic need to resume direct flights to facilitate seamless people-to-people contact and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
According to a statement by the Foreign Office on Friday, both countries acknowledged the steady progress made in easing travel regulations and simplifying visa procedures for smoother interactions.
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On broader regional matters, Islamabad and Dhaka reaffirmed their commitment to reinvigorate the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) based on its original framework.
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary appreciated Bangladesh’s leadership and hoped that regional cooperation through SAARC would stay shielded from individual political disputes.
Following a 15-year pause, Pakistan and Bangladesh held the sixth session of Foreign Secretary-Level Bilateral Consultations in Dhaka on April 17, 2025.
The discussions, led by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch from Pakistan and her Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin, were conducted in a positive and constructive environment, with a mutual aim of rejuvenating diplomatic and economic ties.
The two sides held a thorough discussion covering political collaboration, trade relations, cultural exchange, academic partnerships, and strategic affairs.
Satisfaction was expressed over recent high-level diplomatic meetings in New York, Cairo, Jeddah, and Samoa that contributed to restoring trust and mutual engagement.
Pakistan offered educational scholarships in its leading agricultural universities, while Bangladesh proposed training programs in marine sciences and fisheries.
Bangladesh also welcomed scholarships extended by private Pakistani universities, highlighting a shared interest in strengthening academic exchange.
The importance of continuing cultural outreach was emphasized, with Bangladesh praising Pakistani artists’ recent performances in Dhaka.
Pakistan proposed reciprocal cultural initiatives and further cooperation in media, sports, and heritage preservation, including signing pending memorandums of understanding.
Bangladesh was also briefed on the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), where Pakistan reiterated its call for a peaceful resolution in line with UN Security Council mandates.
Both nations united in condemning Israel’s violent actions in Gaza, stressing the urgency of protecting Palestinian rights.
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The Pakistani foreign secretary also met with key Bangladeshi advisors to deliberate on deepening regional trade networks and ensuring bilateral ties remain unaffected by external political pressures.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh Boost Regional Ties and enhances Shipping Link and Air Travel frameworks as both nations prepare for the next consultation round in Islamabad in 2026, with renewed focus on a future-oriented, mutually beneficial partnership.
