Outstanding issues discussed at Dhaka: FO

Pakistan and Bangladesh held the foreign secretary level talks in Dhaka in a very cordial atmosphere on Thursday during which some old outstanding issues also came up for discussion, said the Foreign Office on Friday.

After the meeting, media reported that Bangladesh had sought a formal apology for the events of 1971.

Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch had arrived in Dhaka earlier this week for Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) after a 15-year break in diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh.

Following the meeting, international media outlets and Bangladesh's leading news agencies Daily Star and Dhaka Tribune reported that Bangladesh asked for a formal apology for the controversial events of 1971 and sought compensation among other demands.

The Daily Star — quoting Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin — said that the compensation included foreign aid, unpaid provident funds, savings instruments, and $200 million given by international donors for the 1970 cyclone. Meanwhile, the Dhaka Tribune quoted him as saying: "These issues need to be resolved to establish a solid foundation for our bilateral relations."

Questioned about the media reports during his weekly news briefing, Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said: "Some outstanding issues were indeed discussed during the consultations.

"However, both sides stated their respective positions on them in an environment of mutual understanding and respect."

He said that "Fake news or sensational news by forces" were trying to undermine the growing reconciliation between the countries. "The foreign secretary-level consultations took place in a very cordial and constructive atmosphere," Khan asserted.

"The conduct of these consultations after a gap of 15 years is a testimony to the existing goodwill and cordiality between Pakistan and Bangladesh," he said, adding that such "misleading reports must not undermine the significance of the important development in bilateral relations".

Question again about the matter, he reiterated: "Some outstanding issues were indeed discussed during the consultations; however, both sides stated their respective positions on them in an environment of mutual understanding and respect."

The spokesperson said Jammu and Kashmir was an internationally-recognised disputed territory, whose final status was to be determined in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Reacting to the news regarding Bangladesh and Pakistan talks, the spokesperson said that talks were held between the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and Bangladesh, in a very cordial atmosphere and some outstanding issues, and bilateral positions were discussed.

Commenting on remarks made by the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson regarding Kashmir, Khan said that instead of making baseless claims, India should vacate the large territories of Jammu and Kashmir under its forcible occupation for the last 77 years.

The spokesperson strongly condemned the bombing of the Baptist Hospital in Gaza by Israeli occupation forces. "It occurred on Palm Sunday, a sacred occasion for Christians, [that] underscores Israel's blatant disregard for religious sanctity and civilian lives," he added.

"Pakistan demanded an immediate end to Israel's ongoing atrocities, which had resulted in the indiscriminate killing of innocent and unarmed Palestinians, including women and children, and the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure," he said.

"Israel's relentless assaults have crippled Gaza's healthcare system, depriving critically ill patients of vital medical care. Coupled with the blockade on humanitarian aid, these actions reflect a deliberate strategy to prolong suffering and entrench conflict."

He said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), would visit Pakistan on April 20 and 21. He also said that Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe also visit Pakistan from 21-22 April.

In response to a question, Spokesperson Khan said that investigations were under way regarding t terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express. The terrorists involved in this terrorism were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan, he said.