Dhaka, Jan. 29 -- Direct flight operations between Bangladesh and Pakistan commenced on Thursday as Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its inaugural flight from Dhaka to Karachi.

The "fully packed" inaugural flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, for Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.

The flight was seen off by Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin; High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh, Imran Haider; Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh; and Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, along with other senior officials.

The launch of the direct flight is being hailed as a positive and long-awaited development,...