PM reaches out to BD amidst floods

In letter to Dr Yunus, Shehbaz extends gesture of solidarity to Bangladeshi people

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered Bangladesh all possible assistance in the wake of the ongoing floods that have caused widespread devastation, including displacement of millions of people in the South Asian country.

An official handout issued by the Foreign Office on Friday said the prime minister wrote a letter to Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the Bangladesh interim government to convey his deep sympathies for the lives lost and the widespread destruction due to floods.

Shehbaz extended "a heartfelt gesture of solidarity to the people of Bangladesh" amid a major political transition there after an unceremonious exit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month as a result of mass movement against her 15-year autocratic rule.

Relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh went from bad to worse, during her tenure as she repeatedly rebuffed peace overtures from Islamabad while sought to deepen ties with India. The letter from Shehbaz is a continuation of efforts to reset the bilateral relationship.

Also importantly, Pakistan's gesture came a time when anti India sentiments were deepening in Bangladesh with many even blaming New Delhi for the recent floods. In his letter, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised Pakistan's empathy and support for Bangladesh during this difficult period.

He said that thoughts and prayers of the Pakistani people were with those affected by floods, particularly those who lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. He acknowledged the Bangladeshi people's resilience and recognised their history of overcoming adversities with determination.

"The people of Bangladesh are known for their resilience in the face of calamities," Shehbaz wrote, expressing confidence in Bangladesh's ability to recover under the leadership of Chief Adviser Yunus. His message underscored Pakistan's readiness to assist Bangladesh and contribute to the relief efforts.

Much of Bangladesh is made up of deltas where Himalayan rivers, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, wind towards the sea after coursing through India. Rains cause widespread destruction every year, but climate change is shifting weather patterns and increasing the number of extreme weather events.

On Friday, flash floods wrought havoc across the country. All major tributaries of the two trans-national rivers were overflowing, according to local media reports. Bangladesh's disaster management ministry reported 13 deaths in cities along the country's southeastern coast.

Feni was the worst-hit but the areas east of the capital Dhaka were also badly affected including the city of Comilla, near the border with Tripura state in India. The port city of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar were also among the affected areas. Officials said the floods affected 4.5 million people.

Asif Mahmud, who is part of the Yunus-led caretaker cabinet, accused India of "creating a flood" by deliberately releasing water from dams. Hundreds of people gathered at Dhaka University to protest India's "water aggression".

These allegations add a layer of complexity to the regional dynamics. Pakistan's offer of assistance could be seen as an attempt to position itself as a supportive neighbour amidst rising tensions in South Asia. Shehbaz's letter also highlights the intricate and often sensitive nature of the regional geopolitics.

The offer of help from the prime minister of Pakistan, coupled with Bangladesh's frustrations with India, could influence the regional narrative, potentially opening doors for renewed dialogue between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

(WITH INPUT FROM AFP)