Dhaka/Islamabad, June 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Despite recent diplomatic warmth, Bangladesh–Pakistan relations continue to be shadowed by unresolved historical grievances. The absence of a formal apology from Pakistan over the 1971 “genocide” of Bangladeshis along with lingering disputes over assets owed to Dhaka remain core obstacles, a report has stated.
According to a report in online magazine, ‘The Diplomat,' the recent warmth in Bangladesh–Pakistan relations appears to be driven more by geopolitical calculations than by genuine mutual trust.
It added that the absence of strong commercial infrastructure required to meet Bangladesh's import needs makes it difficult to position itself as a viable alternative to India.
Highlighting that the “greatest source of unease” in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations remains the 1971 war, the report said, "Memories of the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani forces on Bangladeshi intellectuals and masses, and the atrocities committed against women, remain deeply etched in the minds of the Bangladeshi people.
“Consequently, any initiative aimed at improving relations with Pakistan becomes inextricably intertwined with public sentiments. Political parties have often leveraged this history for their own ends, thereby rendering the issue of bilateral relations even more sensitive,” it added.
The report noted that the relationship with Pakistan remained tense between 2008 and 2024 during the tenure of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League in Bangladesh. It added that the friction deepened over the trial and conviction of several leaders of Bangladesh's radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, accused of crimes against humanity for their collaboration with Pakistani forces in the 1971 war.
The report highlighted that on several occasions, Pakistan raised objections to the judicial proceedings, further widening the rift between the two countries.
However, the political transition in Bangladesh following Hasina’s ouster marked a new phase in the relationship. During the tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, visits by Pakistani ministers and military officials to Bangladesh increased noticeably, alongside a rise in diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries, The Diplomat mentioned.
“Nevertheless, the historical burden remains unresolved. Pakistan has yet to offer a full and formal apology for the genocide committed in 1971. A significant segment of the Bangladeshi population firmly believes that genuine improvement in bilateral relations is impossible without Pakistan’s acknowledgment of its culpability. Consequently, while diplomatic exchanges may have increased, the psychological distance between the two nations remains significant,” it noted.
The report stated that Pakistan’s security apparatus has long drawn international criticism over issues including terrorism, alleged use of terrorist groups as a weapon of its foreign policy, the spread of extremism, and instability along its border with Afghanistan.
These factors, it said, have damaged Pakistan’s global image, prompting analysts to doubt the potential benefits of security cooperation with such a nation for Bangladesh.
Source: IANS
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