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Resetting BD-Pak relations: Wishes and realities
Over the past year, there has been a cautious but notable thaw in the once-frozen diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The change came in the wake of political transition in Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year and installation of an interim
Resetting BD-Pak relations: Wishes and realities
MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Apr 21, 2025 23:00
Updated :
Apr 21, 2025 23:00
Over the past year, there has been a cautious but notable thaw in the once-frozen diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The change came in the wake of political transition in Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year and installation of an interim government. Keen to pursue a pragmatic foreign policy, the new administration initiated moves to re-engage with Islamabad. This shift marked a significant departure from more than 15 years of virtual diplomatic stagnation between the two nations.
In that context, Bangladesh took some important steps -- restoring a direct shipping link and granting permission for a Pakistani airline to operate direct flights to Dhaka. Diplomatic overtures were reinforced when Bangladesh's Chief Adviser met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. The leaders agreed to revitalise the bilateral relationship and explore new avenues of cooperation.
The latest in this string of initiatives was the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FoC), held in Dhaka last week. It drew considerable attention from diplomatic circles in South Asia, as it signalled a potential new chapter in the Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship. The discussions covered a wide range of issues -- economic, educational, agricultural, and cultural -- tapping into shared history and the aspirations of both peoples. At face value, the talks were cordial and comprehensive, with expressions of satisfaction on both sides regarding recent high-level engagements in global forums such as New York, Cairo, Samoa, and Jeddah.
Yet beneath this seemingly smooth surface lies a stubborn historical fracture -- one that remains unhealed, unresolved, and overlooked: the unresolved legacy of the 1971 Liberation War.
Despite the optimistic tone, the talks revealed a familiar impasse. Bangladesh reiterated three long-standing demands, all of which remain unmet since its emergence as an independent nation over five decades ago. These are; a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed during the 1971 Liberation War; Bangladesh's rightful share of pre-independence financial assets held in Pakistan's central treasury; and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis still living in refugee camps across Bangladesh.
Sadly, Pakistan remained non-committal on all three counts. Although both sides publicly claimed the meeting was "fruitful" and that they would "remain engaged" on the outstanding issues, Islamabad's own statement tellingly omitted any mention of the three core demands. This silence has not gone unnoticed in Dhaka, sparking widespread scepticism about Pakistan's sincerity. Can these long-standing wounds simply be glossed over in the name of moving forward?
The short answer is no.
There can be no genuine reset in relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan without a full and formal acknowledgement of the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 Liberation War. That war was not merely a political separation -- it was a brutal, bloody genocide. Over three million Bangladeshis were killed. Tens of thousands of women were subjected to rape and systematic sexual violence. Homes, schools, and places of worship were destroyed. Entire villages were burnt to the ground. These crimes are not mere footnotes in history -- they are etched into the collective consciousness of Bangladesh, shaping its national identity and moral memory.
A meaningful reconciliation cannot be built on denial, silence, or diplomatic evasion. It requires truth, justice, and accountability. The most fundamental starting point for that is an unambiguous, unconditional apology from Pakistan to the people of Bangladesh. Without such a gesture, talk of cooperation in trade, education, and connectivity will remain hollow-lacking the moral foundation necessary for any long-term partnership.
Many observers in Bangladesh and beyond have pointed to examples around the world where nations have sought to right historical wrongs through apology and reparation. From Germany's post-Holocaust stance to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the international precedent is clear: true healing begins with acknowledgement.
Pakistan has, over the years, expressed "regret" or "sorrow" in vague diplomatic language -- but that is not enough. Regret is not accountability. Sorrow is not justice. Bangladesh is not seeking vengeance; it is seeking closure. That closure must be delivered with the courage to say, in no uncertain terms: "We are sorry for the crimes committed in 1971."
In addition to the apology, the other two demands -- fair distribution of financial assets and the humane resolution of the status of stranded Pakistanis -- are also essential for repairing trust. These are not new or unreasonable demands; they are rooted in international principles of equity and responsibility. It is worth remembering that Bangladesh has, for decades, housed tens of thousands of "Bihari" Pakistanis in makeshift camps, offering humanitarian support while awaiting a lasting solution from Islamabad. This burden cannot be borne indefinitely, especially without Pakistan's direct participation in the repatriation process.
The economic and academic cooperation discussed during the FoC -- including scholarships, agricultural training, and maritime studies -- are certainly welcome. But they are not a substitute for justice. Similarly, shared concerns on multilateral platforms, such as the condemnation of Israeli aggression in Gaza or the call to revitalise SAARC, reflect some alignment in international views. However, these areas of consensus should not be used to deflect attention from the historic wrongs that still demand redress.
In this context, the path forward for Pakistan is clear.
If it genuinely wants to restore normalcy and rebuild trust with Bangladesh, it must exhibit the moral courage to confront its past. That includes offering a public, official apology-one that does not hide behind euphemisms or deflect responsibility. This should not be seen as an act of weakness, but rather a bold step toward moral leadership and reconciliation. Only then can the two nations, linked by history and geography, begin to forge a future free from the shadows of 1971.
Furthermore, Bangladesh must also remain firm in its principles during this diplomatic outreach. Resetting ties should not come at the cost of forgetting history. Economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and regional integration are all valuable, but not at the expense of justice. The wounds of 1971 are too deep to be buried under trade deals and cultural exchanges alone.
The recent meetings between Bangladesh and Pakistan have opened a diplomatic window, but it is one that must be used wisely. Symbolic gestures must now give way to substantive action. Until Pakistan formally acknowledges and apologises for its war crimes, any effort to "revamp" bilateral ties will remain, at best, superficial.
Healing begins with truth. Reconciliation begins with justice. And in this case, justice begins with a clear, loud, and unequivocal apology from Pakistan. Nothing less will suffice.
MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Apr 21, 2025 23:00
Updated :
Apr 21, 2025 23:00
Over the past year, there has been a cautious but notable thaw in the once-frozen diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. The change came in the wake of political transition in Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year and installation of an interim government. Keen to pursue a pragmatic foreign policy, the new administration initiated moves to re-engage with Islamabad. This shift marked a significant departure from more than 15 years of virtual diplomatic stagnation between the two nations.
In that context, Bangladesh took some important steps -- restoring a direct shipping link and granting permission for a Pakistani airline to operate direct flights to Dhaka. Diplomatic overtures were reinforced when Bangladesh's Chief Adviser met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. The leaders agreed to revitalise the bilateral relationship and explore new avenues of cooperation.
The latest in this string of initiatives was the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FoC), held in Dhaka last week. It drew considerable attention from diplomatic circles in South Asia, as it signalled a potential new chapter in the Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship. The discussions covered a wide range of issues -- economic, educational, agricultural, and cultural -- tapping into shared history and the aspirations of both peoples. At face value, the talks were cordial and comprehensive, with expressions of satisfaction on both sides regarding recent high-level engagements in global forums such as New York, Cairo, Samoa, and Jeddah.
Yet beneath this seemingly smooth surface lies a stubborn historical fracture -- one that remains unhealed, unresolved, and overlooked: the unresolved legacy of the 1971 Liberation War.
Despite the optimistic tone, the talks revealed a familiar impasse. Bangladesh reiterated three long-standing demands, all of which remain unmet since its emergence as an independent nation over five decades ago. These are; a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed during the 1971 Liberation War; Bangladesh's rightful share of pre-independence financial assets held in Pakistan's central treasury; and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis still living in refugee camps across Bangladesh.
Sadly, Pakistan remained non-committal on all three counts. Although both sides publicly claimed the meeting was "fruitful" and that they would "remain engaged" on the outstanding issues, Islamabad's own statement tellingly omitted any mention of the three core demands. This silence has not gone unnoticed in Dhaka, sparking widespread scepticism about Pakistan's sincerity. Can these long-standing wounds simply be glossed over in the name of moving forward?
The short answer is no.
There can be no genuine reset in relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan without a full and formal acknowledgement of the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 Liberation War. That war was not merely a political separation -- it was a brutal, bloody genocide. Over three million Bangladeshis were killed. Tens of thousands of women were subjected to rape and systematic sexual violence. Homes, schools, and places of worship were destroyed. Entire villages were burnt to the ground. These crimes are not mere footnotes in history -- they are etched into the collective consciousness of Bangladesh, shaping its national identity and moral memory.
A meaningful reconciliation cannot be built on denial, silence, or diplomatic evasion. It requires truth, justice, and accountability. The most fundamental starting point for that is an unambiguous, unconditional apology from Pakistan to the people of Bangladesh. Without such a gesture, talk of cooperation in trade, education, and connectivity will remain hollow-lacking the moral foundation necessary for any long-term partnership.
Many observers in Bangladesh and beyond have pointed to examples around the world where nations have sought to right historical wrongs through apology and reparation. From Germany's post-Holocaust stance to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the international precedent is clear: true healing begins with acknowledgement.
Pakistan has, over the years, expressed "regret" or "sorrow" in vague diplomatic language -- but that is not enough. Regret is not accountability. Sorrow is not justice. Bangladesh is not seeking vengeance; it is seeking closure. That closure must be delivered with the courage to say, in no uncertain terms: "We are sorry for the crimes committed in 1971."
In addition to the apology, the other two demands -- fair distribution of financial assets and the humane resolution of the status of stranded Pakistanis -- are also essential for repairing trust. These are not new or unreasonable demands; they are rooted in international principles of equity and responsibility. It is worth remembering that Bangladesh has, for decades, housed tens of thousands of "Bihari" Pakistanis in makeshift camps, offering humanitarian support while awaiting a lasting solution from Islamabad. This burden cannot be borne indefinitely, especially without Pakistan's direct participation in the repatriation process.
The economic and academic cooperation discussed during the FoC -- including scholarships, agricultural training, and maritime studies -- are certainly welcome. But they are not a substitute for justice. Similarly, shared concerns on multilateral platforms, such as the condemnation of Israeli aggression in Gaza or the call to revitalise SAARC, reflect some alignment in international views. However, these areas of consensus should not be used to deflect attention from the historic wrongs that still demand redress.
In this context, the path forward for Pakistan is clear.
If it genuinely wants to restore normalcy and rebuild trust with Bangladesh, it must exhibit the moral courage to confront its past. That includes offering a public, official apology-one that does not hide behind euphemisms or deflect responsibility. This should not be seen as an act of weakness, but rather a bold step toward moral leadership and reconciliation. Only then can the two nations, linked by history and geography, begin to forge a future free from the shadows of 1971.
Furthermore, Bangladesh must also remain firm in its principles during this diplomatic outreach. Resetting ties should not come at the cost of forgetting history. Economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and regional integration are all valuable, but not at the expense of justice. The wounds of 1971 are too deep to be buried under trade deals and cultural exchanges alone.
The recent meetings between Bangladesh and Pakistan have opened a diplomatic window, but it is one that must be used wisely. Symbolic gestures must now give way to substantive action. Until Pakistan formally acknowledges and apologises for its war crimes, any effort to "revamp" bilateral ties will remain, at best, superficial.
Healing begins with truth. Reconciliation begins with justice. And in this case, justice begins with a clear, loud, and unequivocal apology from Pakistan. Nothing less will suffice.
