SHEIKH Hasina Wajid’s conviction for crimes against humanity by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal marks a seismic moment in South Asian politics and its reverberations are bound to be felt in Pakistan.
The Tribunal in Dhaka found her guilty on multiple counts related to her government’s brutal crackdown on the 2024 student-led protests, including incitement ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities. The court sentenced her to death in absentia, describing her as the mastermind behind a crackdown that UN estimates suggest killed around 1,400 people.
This verdict cannot be understood merely as a domestic reckoning. It reshapes the geopolitical equation in the region, affecting the historical and diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. For Pakistan, the fall of Hasina, a long-time political giant, offers both challenges and strategic openings. Historically burdened by the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War and the role played by the Mukti Bahini, Pakistan has found it difficult to forge warm, unencumbered ties with Dhaka. The Mukti Bahini’s role in achieving Bangladesh’s independence, supported by India, remains a sensitive historical scar. Now, a transformed Dhaka under an interim government could be more open to resetting these fraught ties.
Moreover, Hasina’s government, especially in its later years, aligned closely with Delhi. Her removal and the Tribunal’s verdict weaken India’s strategic influence in Bangladesh. The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, which has backed the prosecution, may now pursue a more balanced or even autonomous foreign policy. Islamabad could seize this moment to offer cooperation, whether economic, political or infrastructural, presenting itself as an alternative partner to Dhaka and helping recalibrate regional power dynamics.
Yet, the situation is far from straightforward. Pakistan’s diplomatic overtures must be handled with extreme care. Any perceived interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs could backfire. Pakistan would need to build a long-term engagement strategy that transcends transactional geopolitics, focusing instead on shared development goals, democratic values and respect for Bangladesh’s sovereignty. A genuine and sustainable partnership would require Islamabad to support Dhaka’s political transition in a way that encourages reconciliation, not exploitation.
Beyond diplomacy, Hasina’s conviction itself sets a powerful precedent. It signals that even entrenched leaders can be held accountable for mass repression, a notion that could resonate in Islamabad, especially among those who call for accountability in their own governance structures. In a region where impunity for political elites is seen as the norm, this verdict could spark debates in Pakistan about the rule of law, civilian power and the limits of authority.
The verdict also opens a chance to revisit one of the most traumatic chapters in Pakistan’s national memory: the 1971 war. The Mukti Bahini’s legacy, part liberation force, part national symbol for Bangladesh, has long been a source of ideological friction between Dhaka and Islamabad. A Bangladesh undergoing political reset may be more willing to engage in honest dialogue about 1971, including mutual recognition of accountability and suffering. This could help Pakistan finally acknowledge the human cost of that war in a way that supports regional reconciliation, rather than entrenching denial or victimhood.
However, the road ahead is perilous. India, under international pressure, may resist any move that appears to undercut its own influence in Dhaka, especially since Hasina was once a key ally. The demand by Bangladesh’s interim government for Hasina’s extradition from India will likely be met with resistance and New Delhi’s response could inflame diplomatic tensions. If the extradition bid fails, as seems probable, it could deepen resentment in Dhaka and fuel anti-India sentiment, creating an unstable dynamic that Pakistan might find hard to navigate.
There is also the risk of internal fallout in Bangladesh. The verdict comes just months before elections and political violence, protests or unrest may follow. Pakistan, if it seeks to support Dhaka, must weigh the risks of being drawn into a volatile internal conflict, one that could destabilize the border, economy and security cooperation.
Ultimately, Hasina’s conviction represents a moment of profound transformation. For Pakistan, it offers a rare opportunity to reengage with Bangladesh on more equal, forward-looking terms while contributing to a regional order that is less dominated by binary rivalries. But realizing this potential will demand skill, restraint and a commitment to institution-building, not just realpolitik.
For Pakistan’s foreign policy to benefit, Islamabad must not only react to this verdict but also invest in a vision of regional partnerships built on justice, mutual respect and shared future. If handled with prudence, the repercussions of Hasina’s fall could pave the way for a new chapter in South Asian geopolitics, one that gives space for reconciliation, reform and a more balanced order.
—The writer is a senior media academic, former Dean of Mass Communication at Beaconhouse National University and University of Central Punjab, and currently a Professor at the University of Central Punjab.
