DHAKA (THE THURSDAY TIMES) — Pakistan has offered Bangladesh access to the Karachi Port in what analysts view as a significant move to revive long-stalled economic ties and reshape regional trade dynamics. The proposal, announced during the ninth session of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission in Dhaka, marks the first such engagement between the two nations in nearly two decades.
Under the offer, Bangladesh would be able to use Karachi Port for exports such as jute and manufactured goods, providing an alternative maritime route to markets in China, the Gulf, and Central Asia. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in shipping, logistics, aviation, and halal certification, while exploring partnerships in energy, education, and technology.
The development comes amid signs of cooling relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, following trade restrictions and cancelled transport agreements. While the plan’s logistics remain uncertain, the symbolism is clear: Pakistan aims to position itself as a regional trade hub, offering Bangladesh a way to diversify its export routes beyond traditional dependencies.
For Bangladesh, the prospect of using Karachi Port could enhance market access and reduce reliance on Indian corridors, though cost efficiency and infrastructure readiness remain critical questions. The initiative also signals Islamabad’s intention to deepen its outreach to South and East Asian economies as trade routes across the region evolve.
Observers see the offer as more than a logistical proposal. It represents a recalibration of regional influence, one that may alter long-standing commercial and political alignments across South Asia. Whether the plan materialises will depend on subsequent agreements, but the message from Islamabad is unmistakable: Pakistan is re-entering the economic map of the region with strategic intent.
