Biman Airlines plane lands in Pakistan after Karachi-Dhaka flights resume following 14-year hiatus
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft arriving in Karachi from Dhaka was given water salute by the Pakistan Airports Authority. Photo: Express
A Biman Airlines flight landed at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport on Thursday night after Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed direct air links after a 14-year gap.
Welcoming Bangladeshi citizens arriving on the historic flight, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said that “after several years, conspiracies have now been exposed.”
He alleged that attempts to create divisions between the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan were being orchestrated not by anyone else but by their common neighbour. Tessori added that, according to him, "India is not only involved in terrorism in Pakistan but had also been carrying out conspiracies and acts of terrorism in Bangladesh.
“Just as the face of India has been unmasked before the Pakistani nation today, I believe the Indian authorities’ true face has also been revealed to the people of Bangladesh."
He said that India had committed injustices against Bangladesh on the cricket field, alleging that “through stubbornness, arrogance, and conspiracies, India tried to oust Bangladesh from the game.
“No issue. Today, Bangladesh and Pakistan will strengthen their bonds of love and cooperation, because I know the Bangladeshi people love Pakistanis. This love will translate into trade and collaboration, and together we will confront the extremists and Indians."
He noted that both nations qwre familiar with each other’s cultures and share a deep bond. “We are united, and I believe this will be another setback for India. If they dare to cast their eyes again towards Bangladesh or Pakistan, our peoples will stand together to confront them,” Tessori said.
The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG341 departed Dhaka at 8pm and landed at Karachi airport at 11pm after a three-hour journey, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar.
A Flightradar screenshot showing Bangladesh's Biman Airlines flight BG341 arriving in Karachi on Thursday. — SCREENSHOT
The Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh earlier said the resumption of direct flight after a hiatus of 14 years marked a "significant milestone in strengthening connectivity and bilateral engagement".
It said the "fully packed inaugural flight" departed from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
"Passengers travelling on the inaugural flight expressed happiness and enthusiasm over the restoration of the direct air link, describing it as a milestone towards bringing the two countries closer," it said.
Passengers travelling on the inaugural flight expressed happiness and enthusiasm over the restoration of the direct air link, describing it as a milestone towards bringing the two countries closer.
Airport authorities and Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority earlier said they had received the flight schedule and completed special arrangements for the arrival of the airline’s first flight to Karachi.
Read: Direct Pakistan-Bangladesh flights to resume after 14 years
The resumption of direct air routes between Bangladesh and Pakistan is seen as important for both countries.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines will be operated twice weekly, the first regular flights since 2012.
“We are relaunching the Karachi-Dhaka route with two weekly flights,” airline manager Bosra Islam told AFP.
Pakistan and Bangladesh – geographically divided by more than 1,500 kilometres by India – were once one nation. They split after a bitter war in 1971.
“The resumption of direct flights will significantly improve connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh, supporting business travel, tourism, and family reunions,” Biman Bangladesh Airlines said in a statement.
Read more: Pakistan, Bangladesh eye Fifth Freedom Flight to boost trade, bilateral ties
Travellers between Pakistan and Bangladesh must currently use connecting flights through Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha.
Cargo ships resumed sailing from Karachi to Bangladesh’s key port of Chittagong in November 2024.
Trade has risen since then and cultural ties have grown, with popular Pakistani singers performing in Dhaka, while Bangladeshi patients are travelling to Pakistan for medical care.