SIALKOT (GNP): His Excellency MD Iqbal Hussain Khan, High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Pakistan, visited Sialkot International Airport, accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner Fazle Lohani Babu, Counsellor Mehmood Ul Hassan, and other officials of the Bangladesh High Commission.
During the visit, Chairman SIAL extended a cordial welcome to His Excellency and his delegation, followed by a comprehensive overview of Sialkot International Airport, highlighting its unique ownership model, visionary approach, operational achievements, and the remarkable contribution of the Sialkot business community towards establishing and successfully operating Pakistan’s first privately owned international airport.
In his remarks, Chairman SIAL underscored the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, expressing his resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties through enhanced cooperation and meaningful engagement.
He highlighted that Sialkot International Airport stands as a distinctive example of private-sector initiative, collective vision, and entrepreneurial determination, demonstrating how a business community can transform an ambitious idea into a successful national asset.
His Excellency MD Iqbal Hussain Khan highly appreciated the Sialkot business community for undertaking and successfully delivering this landmark project. He remarked that visiting Sialkot International Airport had been on his priority list, adding that the airport represents an inspiring precedent for business communities and countries seeking innovative models of infrastructure development.
Expressing his admiration for the airport, the High Commissioner stated that he was deeply impressed by its vision, development, and operational success. He further expressed his keen interest in establishing direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Sialkot, emphasising its potential to promote people-to-people contacts, trade, business, and broader bilateral engagement.
Referring to the resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi by Bangladesh’s national flag carrier, His Excellency expressed optimism about further expanding the air network between the two countries, particularly exploring direct connectivity with Sialkot, given its significance as a major industrial, export, and business hub.
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At the conclusion of the visit, Chairman SIAL Malik Abdul Ghafoor presented a commemorative shield to His Excellency as a gesture of goodwill.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
