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After a 14-year hiatus, the first direct flight between Pakistan and Bangladesh landed at Jinnah International Airport on Thursday night, as Biman Bangladesh Airlines completed its inaugural flight from Dhaka to Karachi.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said that the Bangladeshi carrier returned to Karachi after 14 years and was given a traditional water cannon salute upon landing.<\/p>\n
The authority hailed the flight as \u201ca new chapter\u201d in the relationship between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Data <\/a>from FlightRadar24 showed Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG341 landed in Karachi at 11:03pm, having departed Dhaka at 8:15pm.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori spoke to the press at the airport, stating that cooperation with Bangladesh would not be limited to aviation but would extend to other sectors.<\/p>\n \u201cI absolutely want to say that today, after several years, the conspiracies have died,\u201d Tessori said, holding India responsible for \u201cdriving a wedge\u201d between the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh.<\/p>\n He further said that India was responsible for terrorism in Pakistan and was also \u201cconspiring against Bangladesh\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI congratulate the people of Bangladesh, for they have not only defeated the Indian conspiracies but also exposed them,\u201d he said. The governor added that India had been unfair to Bangladesh in cricket as well, saying it was \u201cout in the open\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe love between Pakistan and Bangladesh will grow because I know that the Bangladeshi people love Pakistanis,\u201d Tessori stated. \u201cThis love will transform through trade and cooperation, and we will fight these Indian extremists together.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier in the day, Pakistan\u2019s High Commission in Dhaka had released a statement, saying that the \u201cfully packed\u201d inaugural flight had departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.<\/p>\n The flight was seen off by Bangladesh Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Imran Haider and other officials, the statement said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe resumption of direct flight after a hiatus of 14 years marks a significant milestone in strengthening connectivity and bilateral engagement,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Bangladesh\u2019s adviser for civil aviation and tourism underscored the importance of the Dhaka\u2013Karachi route in \u201cenhancing connectivity, promoting tourism and strengthening people-to-people links\u201d.<\/p>\n The statement quoted him as saying, \u201cBangladesh Airlines will gradually increase flight frequency and reduce airfares to make travel more affordable for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n He expressed hope that people of Bangladesh will visit Pakistan and explore its natural beauty, cultural heritage and diverse cuisines, it added.<\/p>\n During the ceremony, Pakistan\u2019s high commissioner recalled the vision of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh\u2019s interim leader, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif \u201caimed at enhancing connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIn view of the vision of the leadership and aspirations of the people of our two countries, during the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka<\/a> in August last year, both sides agreed to take immediate measures for the resumption of direct flights,\u201d the statement quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n He also expressed gratitude to the government of Bangladesh, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and the Civil Aviation Authority for making the launch of the flight possible, the statement said.<\/p>\n \u201cPassengers 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,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, it was announced<\/a> that both countries would resume direct flight operations after a 14-year hiatus.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n