First direct cargo shipment from Pakistan arrives in Bangladesh, signals shift in foreign relations

Pakistan's first direct cargo ship to Bangladesh signifies a shift in foreign relations under interim government leadership.

Pakistan's first direct cargo ship to Bangladesh since its 1971 independence docked at the southeastern Chittagong Port last week, signalling a shift in foreign relations under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

"To my knowledge, this was the first cargo ship that came directly from Karachi, mainly carrying raw materials for our textile and ceramic industries,” an official of the Chittagong Port Authority said.

He, however, added that the ship began its voyage from the UAE with its destination being Indonesia and made a stopover in Karachi to load cargo for Bangladesh. Some of the containers also carried goods from Dubai.

In 1971, West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) fought. This war led to the creation of an independent state known as Bangladesh.

Officials said the ship, 'MV Yuan Xian Fa Zhong', arrived at Chittagong Port on November 13 and left soon after unloading the cargo from Pakistan. Earlier, cargo from Pakistan was shipped from a third country like Sri Lanka, Singapore or Malaysia through feeder vessels.

A commerce ministry official familiar with the process said direct cargo transport from Pakistan reduces the price of commodities and quickens the shipment process.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof called the voyage a step toward "boosting more integrated and trade network across the region." Leading foreign relations expert Professor Imtiaz Ahmed said that from an economic point of view “it is surprising to me why there were no direct shipments to and from Pakistan so far since the two countries are engaged in trade relations despite strained political relations”.