As Dhaka cosies up to Pak, cargo ship from Karachi arrives at Bangladesh port

DHAKA: A cargo vessel from Karachi docked at Chattogram port Wednesday, marking the inaugural direct maritime connection between Pakistan and Bangladesh. This underscores the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt’s shift in regional approach as it has been working to strengthen ties with Pakistan — a country held responsible by many in Bangladesh for mass atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War.

The ship arrived amid a politically sensitive environment in Bangladesh, where the govt’s recent moves have stirred both support and opposition. This comprises efforts to remove symbols of the 1971 war, including portraits of Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, since an uprising ousted PM Sheikh Hasina’s govt of 15 years in Aug.

Pakistani high commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof described the establishment of the shipping route as a “major step” forward in strengthening trade and business relations. “The initiative will accelerate existing trade flows and promote new opportunities for businesses on both sides, from small traders to large exporters,” he said.