ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh’s Adviser for Environment Syeda Rizwana Hassan has said that Pakistan and Bangladesh are working to start direct flights via a third country and expressed hope that the people of both countries will be able to travel visa-free in the near future.

Bangladeshi advisor expressed these views in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV. She is visiting Pakistan to attend 28th Sustainable Development Conference organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad from November 4 to 7.

Hassan said there will be a decision at the government level on starting direct flight between both countries.

“I am happy to share that both countries are considering positively the engagement of the third country for flights from Bangladesh to Pakistan and Pakistan to Bangladesh, something they called the fifth freedom,” she said, adding that there are logistical shortcomings and airspace-related complications, which is why a third country is required.

“I am very hopeful that the issue of visa and direct connectivity should be resolved as soon as possible,” she added.

Expressing hope for visa-free travel under the SAARC framework, the Bangladeshi adviser expressed optimism that the common people of both countries would be able to travel visa-free in the near future.

“On the visa issue, both countries have agreed that diplomatic passports will no longer require a visa,” she continued.

“We have to build trust between the communities; it is important that this facility may be extended to communities, people, and businesspeople.”

She informed that there is a dialogue ongoing between the two countries in this regard and hoped for a positive outcome.

“I look forward to a day when people of both countries will be able to go to other countries without having to obtain a primary visa and will be able to travel on a visa-on-arrival basis,” she added.

In recent months, Pakistan and Bangladesh have taken concrete steps to restore closer links, including the launch of a direct shipping route between Karachi and Chittagong as part of a broader push to boost connectivity and trade.

Both countries have also eased travel-and-visa procedures, notably by agreeing that diplomatic passports will no longer require a visa.

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Bangladesh adviser says Islamabad, Dhaka working to restore direct flights, hopes for visa-free travel