Feb 23, Kathmandu - The resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh after 14 years has rekindled hopes of family reunions among thousands of Bangladeshi-origin residents in Karachi. For decades, political tensions and bureaucratic hurdles kept families separated, but now, the possibility of reuniting has brought emotional relief to many.

Sixty-year-old Shah Alam, who has been stranded in Karachi for nearly three decades after visiting Pakistan for a short trip, expressed his determination to return to Bangladesh. Working as a dry fish seller, he shared tears of hope, saying, “I will go back. After Eid al-Adha, I will surely reunite with my son.” Despite losing his parents and first wife, Shah Alam has not been able to return home. He still owns agricultural land and ancestral property in Bangladesh.

Before the 1971 war, Pakistan and Bangladesh were a single nation. The brutal conflict resulted in the loss of millions of lives, and since then, over a million Bengali-origin people have settled in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi’s Machar Colony and other areas. However, many live in a state akin to statelessness due to a lack of citizenship and proper identification documents.

Twenty-year-old Husein Ahmed expressed his desire to go to Bangladesh but remains unable due to the absence of citizenship papers. “I am Pakistani, but I don’t have an ID card,” he lamented. Similarly, 22-year-old Ahmed, unable to prove his family’s residence in Pakistan before 1971, faces official recognition issues. Despite relatives living in Bangladesh, family reunions have yet to be possible.

Last year, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Dhaka and met with Bangladeshi leaders, signaling an improvement in bilateral relations. The newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tariq Rahman, is also expected to maintain diplomatic dialogue, further fostering cooperation.

Local politician Muhammad Rafiqal Hussain emphasized the community’s contribution to Pakistan’s economy, noting, “This is our fourth generation. Friendly relations will benefit both countries.” However, community activist Hafiz Jainul Abedin Shah warned that as Bengalis adapt to the local language, their cultural identity risks weakening.

Amid political fluctuations and questions of identity, Karachi’s Bengali community is united by hope. The recent resumption of cross-border flights feels like a step closer to reuniting families long apart. “May this relationship last forever,” Shah said, “We remain hopeful despite hardships.”