KARACHI (Nov 3): Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan has said bilateral relations between Dhaka and Islamabad have significantly improved since last year, marking a thaw in a relationship strained for more than a decade.
Speaking at an event in Karachi on Sunday, Khan said, “It’s no secret that ties between our two countries had not been good for the last 10–12 years, but things have changed now. Relations have improved at every level.”
The envoy highlighted that Bangladeshi citizens are now able to obtain visas for Pakistan within 24 hours, a development he described as “a reflection of mutual goodwill and trust.”
Khan also underscored the importance of enhancing trade and connectivity, suggesting that both nations explore establishing direct sea links between Karachi and Chittagong to bolster bilateral commerce.
“Our trade potential remains largely untapped. A direct shipping line between Karachi and Chittagong would drastically cut costs and transit time, benefiting both economies,” he added.
Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan had remained frosty for years under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, which had often criticised Islamabad over its stance on the events of 1971. Relations began to ease following Hasina’s ouster in 2024 and the formation of Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration, which has prioritised regional engagement.
Observers say recent overtures — including Pakistan’s humanitarian aid dispatches and high-level exchanges — indicate a gradual effort by both sides to normalise relations rooted in shared economic interests.