Bangladesh has asked Pakistan to formally apologize for the atrocities committed by Pakistani troops during the 1971 War of Liberation as part of its comprehensive list of demands regarding historical and financial injustices.
In the vicious Operation Searchlight, Pakistani troops are estimated to have killed 30 lakh (3 million) Bengalis and raped over a million women, and it is a black page in the history of the region. Bangladesh became independent in 1971 after the bloody war with Pakistan.
Apart from the apology, Dhaka has also protested against the repatriation of more than three lakh stranded Pakistanis who have been residing in relief camps ever since the war. Another grievance raised by Bangladesh is the transfer of foreign aid money for the victims of the 1970 Bhola Cyclone that hit what is now Bangladesh. The cyclone, the deadliest tropical cyclone in history according to the World Meteorological Organization, killed as many as five lakh (500,000) people.
Bangladesh has also made monetary claims worth $4.32 billion against Pakistan. This figure encompasses its portion of pre-1971 assets of Pakistan, including aid funds, provident funds, and savings instruments. A large part of the claim is for $200 million in foreign aid that was not distributed to Bangladesh following the 1970 Bhola Cyclone.
"These matters need to be resolved to create a strong foundation for our relations," Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, Md. Jashim Uddin, said in a media report.
Bangladesh and Pakistan conducted Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on Thursday at the State Guest House, Padma. The session was chaired by Md. Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, and Pakistan's counterpart, Amna Baloch.
Jashim Uddin again declared that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, would visit Bangladesh from April 27-28. He also welcomed the prospect of introducing direct air links between the two nations soon.
During the talks, Amna Baloch separately received Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and talked about many common issues of mutual interest. Baloch insisted that efforts be made to capitalize on the economic possibilities between the two countries and commented, "We have tremendous intra-regional markets on our own right. We should utilize it."
We can't keep missing the bus every time," she emphasized, calling for increased cooperation.
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