Bangladeshis can Travel to Pakistan Without Visa Fee Now

Bangladeshis can Travel to Pakistan Without Visa Fee Now. In a significant move to enhance bilateral relations, Pakistan has introduced a new visa policy allowing citizens from 126 countries, including Bangladesh, to travel to Pakistan without a visa fee. This development was announced by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ahmad Maruf, during a courtesy visit to the Home Affairs Advisor, Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, on Monday.

During the meeting, High Commissioner Ahmad Maruf emphasized the importance of resuming direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan, which he believes will significantly boost bilateral trade and business.

The last direct flight between the two countries was operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in 2018. The resumption of these flights is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening economic ties and enhancing connectivity between the two nations.

Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Bangladesh was a central theme of the discussions. The High Commissioner stressed the need to overcome the challenges that have strained relations over the past 15 years. Both sides agreed on the importance of easing the visa process, which is expected to facilitate smoother travel and exchanges between the two countries.

The meeting also covered a wide range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in post-flood rehabilitation, agricultural research, and counter-terrorism efforts. The Home Affairs Advisor briefed the High Commissioner on the recent devastating floods in Bangladesh’s southeastern region and the challenges faced by the current interim government, including the fight against corruption and controlling essential goods prices.

The High Commissioner expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Bangladesh during these challenging times and assured support for flood victims. He also noted the impact of Bangladesh’s recent Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which resonated in Pakistan, with many Pakistani citizens celebrating the movement’s success by flying the Bangladeshi flag.

In addition to enhancing bilateral relations, the meeting also focused on increasing cooperation in areas such as human trafficking prevention and counter-terrorism. Both sides acknowledged the importance of these issues and agreed to work together to address them.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from Bangladesh’s Home Ministry, along with the Counselor of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, Kamran Dhangal, and Zain Aziz.

This development marks a positive step towards closer cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan, with both countries expressing a strong commitment to overcoming past challenges and building a stronger, mutually beneficial relationship.

The resumption of direct flights and the easing of visa restrictions are expected to play a pivotal role in this renewed partnership.

The renewed visa policy and potential resumption of direct flights signify a positive shift in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, promising enhanced trade, cooperation, and people-to-people connections, ultimately fostering a stronger and more mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations.