BANGLADESH Pakistan relations have gone through many different phases but the fact remains that Pakistan should and must value its relations with our former Eastern Province. Relations of the two countries are based on common religion, history and traditions. By now the two countries have a healthy trade relations and there is a huge potential in trade and commerce, education, textile industry and tourism which will benefit both nations. This scribe has spent a huge part of his younger days in Dhaka and Jessore and it is but natural to remain inquisitive about all the happenings in Bangladesh. I know that the people of Bangladesh passionately and overwhelmingly value their freedom more than anything else and this is borne out by the history of the region. The independence movement in India was nurtured and spearheaded by the leaders and people of Bangladesh.
The All India Muslim League was founded in Dhaka in 1906 with the Agha Khan as its president. A.K Fazaul Haque, Hussein Shahid Suharwardy, Mohd. Ali Bogra, Khawaja Nazim Uddin played a crucial role in the freedom struggle and their contribution to Pakistan cannot be forgotten. India played a major role in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh and has close ad friendly relations with the country but today 53 years after independence the people of Bangladesh are very angry and resentful of the dominating Indian influence and overbearing presence and interference in their internal affair. The resentment and anger of the Bangladeshis spilled over on the streets of Dhaka in the form of ransacking the Indian Cultural Center in Dhaka during the very recent student’s movement to unseat Hasina Wajid. This is the time for the Pakistan Foreign Office to launch a fresh initiative to mend fences with Bangladesh and improve our ties in trade relations and tourism. Strike while the iron is hot.
Relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have been bitter sweet over the past five decades and can be viewed in three different perspectives that is political, social and cultural. It was on 16th December 1971 when the Pakistan army Led by General A.A. K. Niazi surrendered before the Indian army in the race course ground of Dhaka. The surrender of 93000 prisoners of war heaped shame and humiliation on the people of Pakistan. This was followed by the historical decision of Z.A. Bhutto to recognize Bangladesh during the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore in February 1974. Before the recognition it was a feeling of vengeance, retribution and paranoia that existed in the govt. and people of Bangladesh. It was difficult or rather impossible to detect any feelings of goodwill or friendship in that country. Sheikh Mujib Ur Rahman was brutally assassinated by the officers of the Bangladesh army in August 1975. Diplomatic relations were now established between the two countries and now began the era of normal and fraternal relations between the two countries. Bangladesh has always demanded an unconditional apology from Pakistan on the tragic happenings of 1971 but so far no apology has been tendered by any Pakistan Govt. Pervez Musharraf was the first Pakistani head of Govt. to visit Dhaka after 1971. Relations between the two countries improved after 1976 and remained pretty solid until early 1990s. Relations deteriorated after 1996 and reached an all-time low in the year 2000. Pakistani President had to cancel his visit because of the remarks made by Sheikh Hasina in the United Nations Millennium Summit that condemned the military leadership of Pakistan and criticized the undemocratic change of govt. in Pakistan. On her return to Dhaka, she demanded that Pakistan apologize for the atrocities committed by its army during the Liberation war, and bring to justice those involved.
This led to an impasse in their relations due to Pakistan’s withdrawal of its Deputy High Commissioner in November 2000, his refusal to apologize on behalf of Pakistan, massive demonstrations in Dhaka and his departure after being declared persona non grata by the Bangladesh governmentWhat is ironic is Musharraf’s decision to express regrets by recording his written views in the visitor’s book whilst paying homage at the liberation martyrs memorial. In sharp contrast to the earlier government stand, the Foreign Minister of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party welcomed Musharraf’s statement of regret, and suggested that “we would not embarrass a guest by discussing issues like an apology for 1971. It’s the spirit of the people of the two countries that will decide that.” The foreign policy of Bangladesh has always been influenced by pressures from within the South Asian region with the country’s domestic policies following second and extra regional requirements exercising the least influence. The challenge today is to identify the characteristics unique to Bangladesh Pakistan relations and now after the departure of the Hasina Wajid Govt. take a giant leap forward to improve relations and make a fresh start to foster friendly and fraternal relations for the benefit of both countries.
Pakistan should now move fast but with prudence and wisdom. Political wisdom demands that Pakistan should never take a stand on political issues that are purely internal such as the prosecution and execution of leaders of the Jamaat-i-Islami and BNP because all of them happen to be Bangladeshi citizens and it is for the people of Bangladesh to support or condemn them.the two countries should also revisit agreements which were signed between Pakistan and Bangladesh during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Dhaka in July 2002 to promote economic, trade and cultural ties between the two countries.It is the vibrant leadership of a country, economic strength, rule of law and zero tolerance for extremism, radicalization, militancy, intolerance and terrorism which matters in shaping a country’s respect at the regional and international level. The way forward in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations requires substantial political will, determination and a forward looking instead of a retrogressive approach to deal with issues of the past. Transformation of hostility into cooperation and amity is a two-way traffic. It is not only Pakistan which can replace existing hostility in its relations with Bangladesh but much depends on how the regime of Dr. Younas pursues a wise and prudent approach in dealing with issues with Islamabad in a peaceful manner.
—The writer is Professor of History, based in Islamabad.
