Pakistan

Bangladesh demands $4.52 billion, apology from Pakistan for 1971

Published by
Kashif Zia

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh’s interim government has raised unsettled issues with Islamabad, demanding $4.52 billion from Pakistan as its share of pre-1971 assets, Dhaka-based newspaper, Dhaka Tribune, reported.

The issues were raised during the bilateral Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) meeting between the two countries, which was held on Thursday for the first time in 15 years in a bid to normalise mutual diplomatic relations.

Foreign Secretary, Md Jashim Uddin, led the Bangladesh side, while Amna Baloch headed Islamabad’s delegation in the foreign secretary-level bilateral meeting.

The Bangladeshi media reported that Dhaka has demanded a formal public apology from Pakistan for the war crimes, which they claim were committed during the 1971 war.

In media talk after the bilateral consultation, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin said that Pakistan owes the repayment of $4.5 billion in foreign aid, unpaid provident funds, savings instruments, and $200 million given by international donors for the 1970 cyclone.

They further demanded the repatriation of over 300,000 stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.

The stranded Pakistanis who opted to stay in Bangladesh have been granted citizenship, but the number of those who wanted to return to Pakistan is 324,147, another media outlet, The Daily Star, said, quoting the foreign secretary.

So far, 26,941 stranded Pakistanis have been repatriated, he added.

Foreign Secretary Jashim, while speaking to the media, said, “These issues need to be resolved to establish a solid foundation for our bilateral relations.”

In addition to the FOC talks, Foreign Secretary Baloch also met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain separately, where issues of mutual interest were discussed.

The development came as the two countries are normalising relations following the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5 last year.

Additionally, Bangladeshi media reported that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is also scheduled to visit Bangladesh later this month.

The meeting is expected to discuss matters of mutual interest, the regional situation, and the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

The Bangladeshi media, citing Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, reported that Ishaq Dar’s visit will feature discussions on all issues of mutual interest. Dar’s trip will mark the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh since 2012.

Kashif Zia

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