Time to bury the hatchet

Pakistan and Bangladesh now appear to realise that five decades are more than enough for the two estranged neighbours – which otherwise have a lot in common – to bury the hatchet and be friends. The PMs of the two countries, Imran Khan and Sheikh Hasina, held a telephonic conversation on Wednesday in what’s indeed a rare diplomatic event in the hostile bilateral relationship. The tele-talk came on the heels of a recent meeting between Pakistan’s envoy to Dhaka and the Bangladeshi foreign minister.

The meeting and the phonic contact between the two PMs can mark a turnaround in the relations between the two countries which have been historically tense due to the bitter memories of the 1971 events. The relations ebbed to new lows in 2016 when Hasina’s government tried and executed several leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami over war crimes in 1971. To Pakistan, the cases were politically-motivated and violated a 1974 trilateral agreement. The National Assembly, thus, passed a unanimous resolution the same year condemning the execution of JI leaders.

Before that, Narendra Modi’s election as Indian PM caused further distancing between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Modi took full advantage of Hasina’s mistrust in Pakistan and added fuel to the fire. However, the Modi’s recent policies have potentially reversed the course. The controversial citizenship act passed by India last year triggered massive protests in Bangladesh so much so that Modi had to cancel his visit to the country in March. Besides, the China factor also served to detach Bangladesh from India, like it did in the case of Iran recently by offering economic benefits.

The changing political dynamics in the region offer a good opportunity for Pakistan and Bangladesh to revisit their troubled ties. The two sides should start off with people-to-people exchanges at every possible level. Cricket contests can serve as a good CBM. Showbiz personalities like veteran filmstar Shabnam and renowned songstress Runa Laila can also play a role. There is, however, the need to avoid unnecessary hype so as to disallow spoilers to undermine efforts for a diplomatic thaw. Let’s hope PM Hasina will accept PM Imran’s invitation to visit Pakistan and mark the beginning of a new era in the bilateral ties.