Direct flights between Dhaka, Karachi from December: HC Iqbal

Dhaka: Direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan will commence from December, said Bangladesh High Commissioner in Islamabad Iqbal Hussain Khan.

Bangladesh’s top diplomat said this while addressing Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lahore on November 26.

The move is aimed at marking a significant leap in strengthening connectivity between the two countries, Khan added.

It may be mentioned here, there has been no direct flight between Pakistan and Bangladesh for the last several years. As relations between the two countries improved following the ousting of the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, two Pakistani private airlines Fly Jinnah and AirSial have received approval for direct flight operations.

"Mahan Air will start three weekly flights between Dhaka and Karachi from December," informed Bangladesh's High Commissioner in Islamabad. However, he did not specify any date or other details.

The High Commissioner further added, "Visa process has been simplified. Visas are now being issued on the joint recommendation of LCCI and the Bangladesh Honorary Consulate in Lahore. Visas will be issued to members within three to four days, making travel between the two countries faster and easier," he also expressed.

The High Commissioner also informed, a direct cargo shipping service between the two countries will also be launched soon.

"While a cargo service between the two countries has been operational since last December, rising trade demand now requires a dedicated direct cargo route," he added.