Bangladesh Ready to Resolve 1971 Issues: Focus on Strengthening Ties with Pakistan
News Highlights:
- Bangladesh seeks to address 1971 Liberation War issues to enhance relations with Pakistan.
- Interim IT Minister Nahid Islam emphasizes the importance of resolving historical conflicts for a democratic South Asia.
- Relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan were strained during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, especially over war crimes prosecutions.
- Pakistan’s High Commissioner expresses desire to "resolve the 1971 issue" and strengthen bilateral ties.
- Bangladesh maintains interest in resolving the 1971 issue while upholding its national interests and sovereignty.
- Diplomatic engagements with Pakistan continue under Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
News Article:
Bangladesh is prepared to address and resolve the issues stemming from the 1971 Liberation War with Pakistan, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations and promoting democracy in South Asia. This statement was made by Nahid Islam, the Interim Government’s Minister of Broadcasting and IT, during a meeting with the Pakistani envoy in Dhaka.
During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan were particularly strained, especially after several leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were prosecuted for war crimes related to the 1971 war.
Nahid Islam, who was one of the key figures in the student movement that recently led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, made these comments in the context of ongoing meetings between senior members of the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, and Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof.
On September 1, during a meeting with Islam, Maroof expressed Pakistan's desire to "resolve the 1971 issue," according to an official statement from Islam's office. Maroof mentioned that the "previous government never gave us the opportunity to discuss this matter and kept the 1971 issue alive." He added that the matter could have been resolved long ago and emphasized Pakistan's interest in establishing better relations with Bangladesh.
The official statement from Islam's office quoted him as saying that 1971 remains "a significant issue in the political history of Bangladesh." Islam further stated, "While the Awami League views 1971 as the 'final chapter of history,' we see it as a continuation of history."
The 1971 Liberation War was a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's struggle for independence from the oppressive regime of the then West Pakistan. The Pakistani military was accused of committing widespread atrocities, which, according to some estimates, resulted in the deaths of around three million people.
For decades, Bangladesh has sought an apology from Pakistan for these actions and has pushed for international recognition of the genocide. Despite numerous attempts over the past 53 years, no resolution has been reached on this matter.
Islam emphasized that Bangladesh's establishment was rooted in the events of 1947—when British India was partitioned—and the Pakistan movement. He added, "We are eager to resolve the 1971 issue with Pakistan. A democratic South Asia requires us to strengthen our relations."
Bangladesh is keen on maintaining relations with any country while upholding its independence, sovereignty, and national interests, Islam said. "We are interested in resolving the issues of 1971 in the national interest and in fostering better relations," he added.
Following the resignation and departure of Sheikh Hasina to India on August 5, the interim government assumed power three days later. Since then, diplomats from various countries, including Pakistan, have been meeting with the interim government leaders to strengthen ties with Bangladesh.
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During his meeting with Islam, Maroof alleged that Pakistanis had been harassed for political reasons over the past 15 years, particularly in obtaining visas and at airports. He urged Islam to address these issues.