Pakistan’s first direct cargo ship docks in Bangladesh since 1971 

The direct shipment is expected to reduce commodity prices and expedite delivery times….reports Asian Lite News

In a historic move signaling evolving relations, Pakistan’s first direct cargo ship to Bangladesh since the latter’s independence in 1971 docked at Chittagong Port on November 13. The vessel, MV Yuan Xian Fa Zhong, carried raw materials for Bangladesh’s textile and ceramic industries, marking a significant shift in trade logistics between the two nations. 

An official from Chittagong Port Authority confirmed that while the ship began its journey from the UAE en route to Indonesia, it made a stop in Karachi to load goods bound for Bangladesh. Previously, shipments from Pakistan were routed through third countries such as Sri Lanka, Singapore, or Malaysia using feeder vessels. 

The direct shipment is expected to reduce commodity prices and expedite delivery times. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, hailed the move as a step toward fostering regional trade integration. 

Despite the historic shipment, strained political ties persist between the two nations. Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, resisted closer ties with Pakistan due to its failure to fully apologize for the 1971 war. His daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, denied Pakistan’s 2022 request to dock its warship PNS Taimur at Chittagong. 

Foreign relations expert Professor Imtiaz Ahmed noted the economic significance of direct trade but cautioned against actions that might disrupt Bangladesh’s ties with India. He emphasized the importance of balancing regional diplomacy, particularly given interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s efforts to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 

The Yunus-led interim government, which took office in August after a mass uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina, has expressed intentions to reset its foreign policy approach. This includes Yunus’s meetings with regional leaders, although a potential meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the UN General Assembly did not materialize. 

Experts view these developments as part of a broader recalibration of Bangladesh’s diplomatic and trade priorities, with the potential to reshape regional dynamics. 

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