Pakistan's measured silence on Bangladesh unrest

ISLAMABAD:

Many regional and international players have given their initial reaction to the developments unfolding in Bangladesh, including the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, but the one country that Bangladesh was once part of has kept mum.

Two days after the unceremonious exit of Sheikh Hasina in the wake of bloody protests spanning over many weeks, there is no official word yet from the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

But that does not mean that Pakistan is not following the developments that will have ramifications for the region and the country itself, according to a diplomatic source.

Pakistan's move not to officially comment on the events in Bangladesh is deliberate and keeping in view the sensitivities, the source added.

"This is an internal matter of Bangladesh and we wish Bangladesh and its people well," the source said, adding that it was not wise on Pakistan's part to unnecessarily give statements or take sides.

But behind the scenes policymakers are discussing the possible implications, and importantly opportunities, to reset the troubled ties with Bangladesh.

The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained strained during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina. The execution of opposition leaders during her term further vitiated the relationship. "That was the lowest point in the relationship," said another source.

Of late, however, there had been some baby steps to improve the relationship. But there was no major opening given Hasina's close proximity to India and her historic grudge against Pakistan. Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, sought Pakistan's apology over the events of 1971.

Sources said Pakistan did try to reach out to her government but she never reciprocated the gesture. However, with the seismic change in Bangladesh, there may be an opportunity for Pakistan to gradually improve its relationship with Dhaka.

"It is too early but yes there are possibilities," said a source commenting on the fast changing developments in Bangladesh. Pakistan feels that the next dispensation in Dhaka will unlikely be hostile towards Islamabad as was the case during the Awami League government.

Nevertheless, Islamabad is treading a careful path and does not want to think far ahead at this stage. The sources said if at some point there was an official reaction, that would be one wishing good luck to Bangladesh and its people.

The strained relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh hampered regional cooperation particularly under the platform of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc). Pakistan was to host the SAARC summit in 2016 but Bangladesh joined India to boycott the regional gathering.

Since then the summit never took place and Bangladesh continued to toe India's line. However, with the change of government and a new dispensation that equation may change.

While for Pakistan there may be new opportunities, the ouster of Sheikh Hasina was a major jolt to India.

"India is obviously worried and concerned. Hence, Jaishankar in his address in Rajya Sabah today was quite measured, leaving the door open for engagement with Dhaka. New Delhi would work hard to safeguard its diplomatic and economic interests as well as security for Hindu community in Bangladesh," Abdul Basit, Pakistan's former ambassador to New Delhi, remarked.

The former diplomat advised Pakistan not to get overwhelmed with the change of government in Dhaka. "As for Pakistan, we must not get carried away and treat the change as their internal matter. We must avoid making loose and patronising statements," he added.

He, however, said that with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, there might be an opening for Pakistan in Dhaka. "Now that Sheikh Hasina is gone, one can hope Dhaka would willingly respond to Pakistan's goodwill and work together to inject more and more substance into bilateral relations," he added.

He also suggested the countries must also work together to promote regional cooperation and towards reviving the moribund Saarc. But he had a word of caution for Pakistan's mission in Dhaka: "Our High Commission in Dhaka must keep a low profile for now."