Bangladesh has raised “historically unresolved issues” and demanded a public apology from Pakistan for the atrocities of 1971 during their first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years, held in Dhaka.
Bangladesh also requested that Pakistan pay USD 4.3 billion as its share of the assets when East Pakistan separated to form an independent Bangladesh in 1971.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary M Jashim Uddin informed reporters after the meeting with Pakistani counterpart Amna Baloch that the issues discussed included the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the fair distribution of undivided assets, the transfer of foreign aid for the victims of the 1970 cyclone, and a formal apology for the genocide carried out by Pakistan’s military in 1971.
Jashim Uddin stated that now was the right time to resolve these longstanding issues for a stronger foundation for future relations. He mentioned that these matters must be settled for mutual benefits.
In response to whether Pakistan agreed with the demands, Jashim Uddin said Pakistan showed a positive outlook and expressed a desire to continue engaging on these issues in the future.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement highlighting that the talks were constructive and focused on building a forward-looking partnership. The discussion covered various aspects of bilateral relations, including political, economic, and trade matters. They also explored cooperation in agriculture, environment, education, cultural exchanges, and defence.
Later, Baloch met separately with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain. Yunus emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Pakistan and overcoming existing hurdles to boost trade and cooperation.
Acknowledging the challenges, Baloch agreed that both countries must find ways to unlock their potential and move forward. She mentioned the long-frozen relationship and the need to overcome the barriers. Yunus reflected on past meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and expressed hopes for renewed collaboration.
The talks, which come after the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August of the previous year, signal a thaw in relations between the two nations.
