16th December 1971 is a date that will live in infamy for all times to come. This is the day when the two nation theory was buried and Pakistan suffered the indignity of a shameful surrender to the Indian army, the country was dismembered and Bangladesh appeared on the map of the world as an independent sovereign nation.
The bloody birth of Bangladesh left deep wounds and scars on the psyche of both countries and the initial years were full of bitter memories, allegations and many complaints of the long civil war and the excesses committed by both sides. More than half a century after the tragic events of 1971 Pakistan and Bangladesh have still not forgotten the bitterness and rancour of the past and continue to express the myths and complaints of the bitter past at various forums.
Immediately after Independence when Sheikh Mujib Ur Rahman reached Dhaka and took charge and declared that the foreign policy of Bangladesh will be based on the principle of “friendship to all, and malice towards none” and this principle has been repeatedly confirmed by the present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid the daughter of Sheikh Mujib Ur Rahman. As far as Pakistan is concerned the foreign policy of Bangladesh does not seem to follow the guidelines laid down by their father of the nation. Even today the bilateral relations between the two countries leaves a lot to be desired and it appears that Sheikh Hasina Wajid does not believe in letting bygones be bygones and move forward to forge a relationship based on mutual trust and respect between the two countries who were one state for about twenty five years.
Sheikh Mujib ur Rahman himself made a solemn commitment in April 1974 in the tripartite agreement between India Pakistan and Bangladesh to “Forget the past and to make a fresh start.” Z.A. Bhutto made a fresh start when he recognized Bangladesh and Mujib was invited to attend the Conference of Islamic countries in Lahore in 1974 that was followed by a return visit by Bhutto in June 1974. Since then there has been an exchange of visits by leaders of both countries and both sides have repeatedly expressed the ardent wish to forgive and forget the bitterness of the past. General Pervez Musharraf paid a state visit to Bangladesh in 2002 and short of an apology he accepted that the excesses committed by the army in the past were regrettable. Musharraf visited the memorial to the Bangladeshi martyrs of 1971 and the same sentiment was expressed by Faiz Ahmed Faiz in an epic poem lamenting the bloodshed and acts of savagery and cruelty.
Pakistan should and must take the initiative to break the impasse and lay the foundations of a fresh new start in the bilateral relations between the two countries. This initiative is possible only by a farsighted, pragmatic political leader who can think out of the box.
Anam Zakaria, author of the book 1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India says, “Pakistan must acknowledge the violence of 1971 as well as the political, economic, and cultural discrimination prior to Bangladesh’s birth.” According to Zakaria, “Owning up to the past and issuing a formal apology for war crimes committed in 1971 will allow the two countries to deepen diplomatic and economic relations.”
Both countries have strong historical, cultural and religious bonds and they need strong cooperative relations. As founding members of SAARC and for mutual need of economic prosperity and progress in development goals both countries can play an important role to strengthen the role of SAARC for regional cooperation trade and development. Pakistan has offered training to the Bangladesh army personnel on the Al-Khaled tank. Besides, Pakistan has also gifted 46 aircraft and 35 tanks to Bangladesh's armed forces. Despite these goodwill efforts by the Government of Pakistan, relations with Bangladesh lack warmth to move forward and to take the relationship from bilateral to regional levels, concerted efforts at government, diplomatic, military, and societal levels are needed. The promotion of art and culture is another area where a lot can be done through cultural exchange programs, artists from both countries can come together for joint ventures in films and TV plays. Pakistani dramas can be aired in Bangladesh and programs like “Coke Studio” can have Bangladeshi artists performing. People who have lived in East Pakistan with good memories of the region should be encouraged to write and share their experiences with the new generation of Pakistanis. More sporting events between the two countries should be held regularly. There is a great and immediate need to improve and upgrade and ease the visa process this will improve people to people contact and provide more facilities to businessmen to explore commercial opportunities.
The Foreign Secretary-level dialogue between the two countries has been suspended for the last many years it needs to be resumed. Pakistan’s policy towards bridging the differences with Bangladesh should not entirely rely on bilateral relations. They should be diversified given the regional context. The ongoing atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their impact on the region’s peace could be a point of interaction between the two countries. Pakistan can ask for support from Bangladesh on the Kashmir dispute. The policy of marginalizing Muslims by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India carries a regional impact. Pakistan and Bangladesh being regional Muslim players can have a united front for Muslims. Bangladesh has provided China with access to the Bay of Bengal. Pakistan, as part of CPEC and Gwadar seaport, is also an ardent supporter of regional connectivity and economic integration. Thus, both Pakistan’s and Bangladesh’s regional outlook is more inclined towards regional connectivity.
There are many lessons that Pakistan can learn and benefit from Bangladesh. It has been acknowledged by the world community that Bangladesh is a good example of economic and social development among the Asian countries and it will be an upper middle income country by 2031. They have reduced poverty levels from 43.5 percent in 1991 to 14.3 percent in 2016. Population of 170 million is growing at a rate of one percent as compared to Pakistan’s population of 220 million growing at the rate of two percent. Recently the economy of Bangladesh has been facing problems due to rise in energy and commodity prices. Inflation is rising and the balance of payments deficit is widening and foreign exchange reserves have shrunk to 38.9 billion USD and the govt. has now initiated an austerity program to deal with the situation.
Bangladesh is now preparing for general elections to be held in December 2023 and Pakistan too hopes to have elections in 2023 so time for a fresh start in bilateral relations between the two countries. The recent speech in the United Nations General Assembly by the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an indication that her party will use the issue of apology from Pakistan as a cheap tactic to win votes. Whatever the political shenanigans of the politicians this writer during a visit to Bangladesh is an eye witness to the fact that majority of the people of Bangladesh want warm and cordial relations with Pakistan.