Pak-BD ties: seeking positive transformation

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A positive transformation in the ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh is the need of the hour. Attempts made by the two sides in the past to mend fences failed to bear fruit because of the 1971 events, as also mentioned by Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Cairo last December.

Back-to-back developments in the Pakistan-Bangladesh ties since the August 2024 regime change in Dhaka reflect how committed the two sides are to positively transform the bilateral ties on a permanent basis. Formation of the Joint Business Council (JBC); signing of a MoU between FPCCI and FBCCI; resumption of maritime shipping links connecting the ports of Karachi and Chittagong; and visits of high-level military officials cannot be taken as ordinary steps. To add to that are easing of visa restrictions and resumption of direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka after a 10-year hiatus.

For more than 15 years when Sheikh Hasina was at the helm in Bangladesh, Pakistan was viewed as an enemy state, and the two sides only had ceremonial ties in trade, commerce, education, travel, tourism and other areas. Hostile attitude of Bangladeshi consular staff with Pakistani visa applicants showed the depth of the hatred that was planted during Hasina's rule at the behest of New Delhi. A vast majority of the Bangladeshi population harboured cordial sentiments for Pakistan, but their government acted in a different manner.

During her 20 years in power - from 1996 to 2001 and from 2009 to 2024 - Hasina focused on Pakistan bashing taking advantage of the unfortunate events of 1971 and the alleged exploitation of East Pakistan by West Pakistan. Textbooks in Bangladesh are full of anti-Pakistan content whether it was the language movement - which, on February 22, 1952, led to the killing of three protesting students demanding equal status for Bangla - or the denial of power to Awami League. The military operation from March 25 till the surrender of Pakistani armed forces in Dhaka on December 16, 1971 also figures prominently in the textbooks.

The textbooks in Pakistan only discuss the emergence of Bangladesh with reference to the Indian intervention in 1971. But such is not the case with the content in Bangladeshi textbooks which clearly mention three national days - February 22 as Language Day; March 26 as Independence Day; and December 16 as Victory Day - directed against Pakistan. However, despite the promotion of anti-Pakistan feelings particularly during Awami League regimes, the new generation of Bangladesh is not hostile towards Pakistan. The student community of Bangladesh that played a pivotal role in toppling Hasina is leading efforts for mending fences with Pakistan. Also, pro-Bangladesh meetings being held in different parts of Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, are an indication that the new generation wants to re-establish friendly ties with Bangladesh.

One can only expect things to change in the context of the bilateral ties once the hostility against Pakistan starts ceasing. Given the fact that there are some forces in Bangladesh that are not in favour of mending fences with Pakistan, the two countries are moving on very cautiously. These forces, with the backing of New Delhi, are looking for an opportunity to derail the whole process.

The possibility of permanent positive transformation of relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh needs to be examined in three ways.

First, the two countries must focus on strengthening business and trade relations alongside enhancing the level of air and sea connectivity. When the bilateral trade will grow for the benefit of both countries, one can expect mitigation of contentious political issues related to the 1971 tragedy as well as the perception in Dhaka that Islamabad must apologise for the "atrocities" committed during the military operation. The 1974 tripartite agreement signed by India, Bangladesh and Pakistan also mentioned Islamabad appreciating Dhaka for forgiving the alleged atrocities. During President Pervez Musharraf's visit to Dhaka in July 2002, Pakistan had expressed its deep regrets over the tragic events leading to the breakup of the country.

Pakistan can learn several lessons from Bangladesh in the areas of population control, gender emancipation, microcredit schemes, exports, remittances and state-of the-art infrastructure. Moreover, Pakistan can also benefit from Bangladesh's experience of dealing with religious extremism and terrorism. Unlike Pakistan where extremism has given rise to violence resulting in the killing of several thousand people over the years, Bangladesh is peaceful, save for isolated incidents of religious terrorism.

Declaring Karachi and Chittagong and Dhaka and Lahore as sister cities and opening consulates in Lahore and Chittagong will go a long way in generating mutual goodwill at the popular level. Exchange of students, faculty and professionals will also act as a catalyst in strengthening the bilateral ties. In the banking sector, a joint Pakistan-Bangladesh bank can be established like the Dutch-Bangla bank. The bitterness of the past - which poses a big obstacle to the efforts for normalising the ties between the two countries - will still take time to subside.

Second, both Pakistan and Bangladesh should be mindful of the Indian factor which has the capability to destabilise any activity having the potential of deepening the bilateral ties. If Pakistan puts its own house in order - by strengthening the economy and ensuring political stability, good governance and rule of law - it will be in a better position to help Bangladesh. During the 15 years of the Awami League rule, India's RAW has penetrated deep inside Bangladeshi state and society. Unless the civil society, media, academia and student community in Bangladesh assert themselves and prevent India from intervening, the Yunus regime will not be able to put pressure on New Delhi to extradite Hasina who is wanted in Bangladesh over corruption and criminal activities. And the ousted Bangladeshi leader will continue to destabilise the interim government with Indian patronage.

Third, people-to-people contact is the need of the hour. The governments in both Pakistan and Bangladesh should ensure affordable air and sea connectivity and take institutional measures to bring the two countries closer.