The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was a historic moment that marked the collapse of the Cold War-era "Iron Curtain" and paved the way for German reunification. In many ways, a similar transformation is beginning in our region as Bangladesh and Pakistan work towards improving their long-strained relationship.
Over the past six months, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, has met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif twice. Meanwhile, he has yet to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person. This shift has led to mixed reactions, but it presents an opportunity to remember the contributions of Bengali Muslims in the creation and defense of Pakistan. By reflecting on this shared history, we can revive a sense of brotherhood, bridge differences, and stand united in the face of challenges.
The role of Bengali Muslims in the creation of Pakistan is undeniable and has deep historical roots. It began in 1905 with the partition of Bengal, a turning point that ignited a strong movement to protect the rights of Bengal’s Muslim population and the wider Muslim community of the subcontinent. The Krishak Proja Party (KPK) of Bengal played a key role in this struggle, shaping a clear vision for the Pakistan Movement.
One of the most influential figures of this era was Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq, the president of KPK. In March 1940, he presented the Lahore Resolution, which called for a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India. Fazlul Haq, widely known as Sher-e-Bangla, was a respected Bengali lawyer and a politician who also served as the first and longest-serving Prime Minister of Bengal during British rule.
The party that led the Pakistan Movement was founded in Dhaka in 1906. The proposal to create a political organisation to safeguard Muslim interests in British India was put forward by the Nawab of Dhaka, Khawaja Salimullah, at the annual meeting of the All-India Muslim Education Conference held at Ahsan Manzil Palace, his official residence. His motion to establish the “All-India Muslim League” was unanimously passed, marking the birth of the political party that would lead to the creation of Pakistan.
Despite the painful separation, the histories of Pakistan and Bangladesh remain deeply connected. Our struggles, achievements, and shared past remind us that, despite our differences today, we are still linked in many ways
Beyond Khawaja Salimullah, another prominent Bengali leader, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, played a major role. During the 1946 general elections, he led the Bengal Provincial Muslim League (BPML) to a decisive victory, securing 113 of the 119 seats allocated for Muslims. With the support of the League’s leader, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Suhrawardy became the Premier of Bengal. He later served as the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan and the second under the 1956 Constitution. Although he was often seen as pro-American, he also worked to establish pragmatic relations with the Communist China, which is now Pakistan’s closest ally.
The Muslim League emerged as the dominant political force in the 1940s, advocating for the division of India along religious lines and ultimately leading to the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. After the passing of Pakistan’s Founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Bengali leader Khawaja Nazimuddin, a well-known landlord and politician from East Bengal, became the second Governor-General of Pakistan.
While Bengal played an important role in Pakistan’s creation, its contributions to the country’s defense were equally significant. Shortly after independence, Jinnah established the East Bengal Regiment in 1948 to strengthen Pakistan’s military presence in the eastern region. Today, the East Bengal Regiment remains the largest regiment in Bangladesh.
Many people are unaware of the regiment’s remarkable contributions during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan. At the time, India believed it could capture complete West Pakistan within 72 hours. However, its forces faced fierce resistance, and the East Bengal Regiment played a key role in defending Lahore, one of Pakistan’s most important cities. Soldiers from the regiment fought bravely, earning 12 gallantry awards for their heroism.
The East Bengal Regiment inflicted heavy losses on the Indian army, and at the same time, a Bengali hero from Dhaka, M.M. Alam dominated the skies. On September 7, 1965, Alam stunned the Indian Air Force by shooting down five Indian aircraft in under a minute. Meanwhile, on the ground, Bengali Major Zia-ur-Rehman pushed the Indian army back on the Khem-Karan front, advancing deep into Indian Punjab. His bravery earned him Pakistan’s Hilal-e-Jurat award. Years later, Zia-ur-Rehman went on to become the Chief of the Bangladesh Army and later the seventh President of Bangladesh.
On February 15, 1948, following Jinnah’s orders, the East Bengal Regiment was formally established. In the following years, Pakistani President Field Marshal Ayub Khan expanded the presence of cadet colleges in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to encourage greater Bengali participation in the Pakistan Army.
The sacrifices and contributions of Bengali Muslims to Pakistan remain an important part of history. However, the events of 1971 changed everything, leading to the declaration of independence by Bangladesh. On March 26, during his posting in Kalurghat, Chittagong, Ziaur Rahman announced the declaration of independence from the Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra radio station. This moment was the result of a longstanding trust deficit between East and West Pakistan, which had been growing for years.
The divide started with the language movement in February 1952 when Urdu was imposed as the national language instead of Bengali, the mother tongue of the majority. Over time, feelings of deprivation and discrimination increased among Bengalis. The situation worsened in November 1970 after the devastating Bhola cyclone, one of the deadliest in history, killed between 300,000 and 500,000 people in East Pakistan. The West Pakistani government’s slow and inadequate response to the disaster fueled resentment and deepened the divide, especially since the first general election was approaching.
The final breaking point came when the power was not handed over to the Awami League, which had won a clear majority in the elections. General Yahya Khan had introduced Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Prime Minister-elect, and the newly elected assembly was scheduled to meet in Dhaka to formalise Mujib’s position. However, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto refused to allow members from West Pakistan to attend the session, blocking the democratic transition of power.
This deepened the mistrust between East and West Pakistan. Bengalis could no longer tolerate this injustice, and they decided to take control of their future. This led to the Bangladesh Liberation War and, ultimately, the declaration of independence on March 26, 1971. When people’s voices are ignored, the consequences can be disastrous, and that is exactly what happened.
Despite the painful separation, the histories of Pakistan and Bangladesh remain deeply connected. Our struggles, achievements, and shared past remind us that, despite our differences today, we are still linked in many ways.