Bangladesh has demanded a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed against Bengalis by the Pakistani army during the 1971 Liberation War. Also, Bangladesh has urged Pakistan to pay compensation of $4.5 billion, which includes its share in the assets of undivided Pakistan.
At the recently held Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin raised several historical issues with his Pakistani counterpart Amna Baloch. These include the $200 million share of foreign aid received after the 1970 Bhola cyclone that was not allocated by Pakistan.
The talks also mentioned the killing of an estimated 3 million Bengalis and the rape of over 1 million women by the Pakistani army during Operation Searchlight. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the Bhola cyclone of 1970 was the world’s most destructive tropical cyclone, killing nearly half a million people.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin explained, “Resolution of these issues is imperative to lay a strong foundation for relations between the two countries.” He also informed that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will pay an official visit to Bangladesh on April 27-28.
During the talks, both sides agreed to advance bilateral relations and discussed the possibilities of resuming direct air services. Bangladesh gained independence after a bloody conflict with Pakistan in 1971.
