KARACHI: Pakistan and Bangladesh have decided to launch passenger and cargo shipping services between the two countries, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) said on Tuesday, amid a thaw in ties since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year.
The statement came after a meeting between Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan and PNSC Chairman Sultan Ahmed Chawla, aimed at discussing avenues for enhanced maritime cooperation between the two nations.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
In the years since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly ex-PM Hasina, chose to maintain close ties with India. Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August, witnessing a marked improvement.
“A key outcome of the discussion was the decision to initiate passenger and cargo services between the two countries, facilitating smoother travel and boosting people-to-people connectivity in trade, industry and ship agency matters,” the PNSC said in a statement.
The development follows interactions between top officials of both countries on bilateral and multilateral forums.
The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif twice since taking office on Aug. 8. Last month, Pakistani and Bangladeshi envoys held a meeting in the United Arab Emirates, wherein they proposed direct flights from Dhaka to Islamabad and Karachi.
In January, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed a landmark agreement to establish a joint business council, during the visit of a Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) delegation to Dhaka. The Trade Corporation of Pakistan has also signed a memorandum of understanding for rice export to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh High Commissioner Khan expressed optimism about the positive impact of the recent developments, noting that enhanced maritime connectivity will further strengthen bilateral trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to the PNSC.
Chawla reaffirmed the PNSC’s commitment to supporting regional trade initiatives and emphasized the corporation’s readiness to facilitate seamless logistics between the two countries.
“The meeting concluded with both sides reiterating their dedication to exploring new opportunities for collaboration in the maritime sector, aiming for a prosperous future for Pakistan and Bangladesh,” the PNSC added.
Pakistan, Bangladesh plan to launch passenger and cargo shipping services as ties warm up
https://arab.news/w7p2g
Pakistan, Bangladesh plan to launch passenger and cargo shipping services as ties warm up
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between both nations have warmed up since PM Hasina’s ouster due to an uprising in Aug.
Pakistan eyes enhancing mines, minerals cooperation with Saudi Arabia at Future Minerals Forum 2026
- Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik meets Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef in Riyadh
- Saudi minister offers to support Pakistan’s mining industry via Kingdom’s knowledge and expertise, says Pakistan’s petroleum ministry
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh on Monday, the Pakistani petroleum ministry said, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the mines and minerals sector.
Malik is leading the Pakistani delegation at the FMF 2026 summit in Riyadh. The Jan. 13-15 event is expected to attract around 20,000 representatives from governments, businesses, multilateral and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and trade associations from more than 160 countries, organizers said. At least 13 public and private companies from Pakistan’s mines and mineral sector are participating in the event.
“The minister held a meeting with Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, during which both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the minerals and mining sector,” the Pakistani petroleum ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Alkhorayef pointed out “vast opportunities” for cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the mineral sector, adding that the Kingdom would support the development of Pakistan’s mining industry through its knowledge and technical expertise.
Malik said fertilizer production and medical devices manufacturing sectors also present important opportunities for joint ventures between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors and accelerated investments in green technologies, sustainable mining practices and international collaborations that are shaping the future of the mines and mineral industry.
Pakistan organized a minerals summit in April 2025 which saw participation from major international companies including the Canada-based Barrick Gold and officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, China, Türkiye, UK, Azerbaijan and other nations.
Islamabad also plans to organize a Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum this year to attract foreign investment in its mines and minerals sector. Pakistan lies in the middle of the mineral-rich geological zone, called the ‘Tethyan Belt,’ where one of the world’s largest copper-gold mines is currently under development at Reko Diq.
This mine is expected to start production by 2028.
