NA informed: Pakistan, Bangladesh edge closer to diplomatic ‘breakthrough’

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that Pakistan and Bangladesh are nearing a significant diplomatic breakthrough, with discussions advancing towards the resumption of direct flights, a move set to boost trade, tourism, and medical travel.

Responding to a query during Question Hour, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that Bangladesh has authorised two Pakistani airlines, Fly Jinnah and Air Sial, to resume flights between the two countries.

He emphasised that Pakistan is actively working to strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh, citing recent high-level leadership discussions aimed at furthering cooperation.

Pak-BD closer ties to benefit region: moot told

The re-establishment of direct flights, he added, would be a significant step for trade and tourism, particularly medical tourism, an area of growing importance for both nations.

He also revealed that Pakistan has signed an agreement for the export of 200,000 metric tonnes of rice to Bangladesh, with 50,000 metric tonnes already delivered.

The minister also noted that Bangladesh has streamlined its visa processes to encourage investment from Pakistan.

On the domestic front, he also addressed the expansion of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections, a move directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address Pakistan’s growing energy needs.

While RLNG is set to be more expensive than domestic Sui gas, Chaudhry maintained that it would still be more affordable than imported LNG, which remains a critical issue as the country faces an energy crisis.

Turning to human rights, the parliamentary secretary for human rights, Saba Sadiq, highlighted the toll-free helpline 1099, which provides free legal aid to victims of human rights violations, including violence.

In infrastructure, the parliamentary secretary for communications, Gul Asghar Khan, reported progress on the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway project, a six-lane highway expected to be completed by 2028.

Minister for Petroleum Division Ali Pervaiz Malik provided an update on the Reko-Diq Copper-Gold Project in Balochistan’s Chaghai District.

He confirmed that Phase I of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the 2029 financial year, with Phase II to follow in 2033. Revenue generation from the project is anticipated to begin in the 2034 financial year.

Malik also clarified that a separate allocation of Rs718.58 million has been made to the Geological Survey of Pakistan under an unrelated project, “Accelerated Geological Mapping and Mineral Exploration using Modern Satellite Imaging-Based Technologies for Unmapped Areas in Pakistan.”

The minister further revealed that the Petroleum Division is working with the Finance Division to create a competitive fiscal regime to encourage the development of the country’s mineral sector.

He said that it is being done with the support of the provincial government of Balochistan, which has pledged to work under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework to implement these reforms.

Additionally, he noted that the Balochistan government has established a Rs1 billion Community Development Fund (CDF) aimed at improving conditions in mining-affected villages in Chaghai District, where access to essential services such as clean water, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities remains limited.

Minister for Power Division Awais Leghari told the House that the government has allocated Rs301 billion to subsidise electricity for low-income consumers.

However, he cautioned that extending similar subsidies to unprotected consumers would require an additional Rs527 billion, a figure that the government is unable to accommodate at present.

On the legislative front, the Netting of Financial Arrangements Bill, 2025, and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, were introduced in the House.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025