'Don't agree': Bangladesh rejects Pakistan's '1971 issues resolved twice' claim
What's the story
Bangladesh has rejected Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar's assertion that the issues stemming from the 1971 war were "resolved twice." During a two-day visit to Bangladesh, Dar had claimed these issues were settled in 1974 and again during former President Pervez Musharraf's tenure. However, Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, disagreed with this assertion, saying if they were resolved, "the problems would have been solved."
Unresolved issues
Hossain reiterates demand for apology, financial settlements
Hossain reiterated Bangladesh's demand for an apology and financial settlements from Pakistan. He also sought the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis and the resolution of pre-independence financial issues. "I have strongly upheld the Bangladesh stance," Hossain said, adding it would be unrealistic to expect 54 years of unresolved problems to be solved in a single day.
Historical tensions
Ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan
The relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan had soured under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime, especially after the 2010 trials of collaborators from the 1971 Liberation War. However, recent political shifts have opened doors for better ties. After Hasina's ouster in August 2024 due to a violent student-led protest, Muhammad Yunus became the chief advisor of an interim government, paving the way for improved relations with Islamabad.
Economic cooperation
Agreement to boost trade and investment
During Dar's visit, Bangladesh and Pakistan signed an agreement and five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral relations. Hossain said both countries are looking to boost trade and investment, with yearly turnover being under $1 billion. Bangladesh sought access to Pakistani markets under SAFTA in various sectors, while Pakistan expressed interest in exporting energy to Bangladesh.
Political outreach
Dar meets leaders from various political parties
Dar also said that the scope and possibility of "doing good for the two peoples of our two countries is tremendous." On the first day of his visit, Dar met leaders from various Bangladeshi political parties, including Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami. Dar is the most senior Pakistani leader to visit Dhaka since 2012. Hina Rabbani Khar, his predecessor, visited Bangladesh in 2012 to invite Hasina to a summit.