Pak-Bangladesh ties: 41 years on, still awaiting an apology
When Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited Dhaka in November to invite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid to attend the D-8 summit in Islamabad, a demand was put forward that Pakistan apologise over “crimes committed by the state in 1971.”
Khar responded with the standard reply: Bangladesh should move on, build cordial relationships and “bury the past”. Days later, Bangladesh announced Wajid would not attend the summit.
This renewed insistence on an apology may, on the surface, seem like nothing but political gesturing by Bangladesh’s ruling party, the Awami League. However, from government to bureaucracy to civil society, most in Bangladesh feel it is time Pakistan officially apologises to Bangladesh.
This demand at the official level is a foreign policy continuation since the Awami League-led government came to power in 2009. It was raised in 2009, during foreign minister Dipu Moni’s meeting with the Pakistan envoy Alamgir Bashar Khan Babar.
“Our demand has never been sidelined,” Moni told The Express Tribune this week. “We will keep pressing the issue, expecting that the Pakistani policymakers apologise at some stage.”
According to an official at the ministry’s South Asia Division, “pressing the issue in every bilateral meeting and keeping it noted in official minutes is an appropriate diplomatic process.” Issuing an official letter from the Bangladesh foreign ministry to the Pakistan foreign ministry, he added, is not mandatory.
The intelligentsia in Bangladesh comments that Pakistan should have tendered an official apology much earlier. Former commerce minister Farukh Khan, currently Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, told a public rally that this would strengthen bilateral trade.
To prominent historian and a professor at the Dhaka University Muntassir Mamoon, the apology is more important now than at any time in the past because, according to him, Bangladesh is now in a stronger position to claim it. “Both economically and politically, Bangladesh has great importance in this region,” Mamoon said.
Referring to Pakistani’s growing interest towards Bangladesh’s economic growth, especially in the readymade garments industry, he added “Pakistan now needs Bangladesh more than Bangladesh needs its distant neighbor.”
However, Shahriar Kabir – writer, filmmaker, journalist, activist and a member of the national committee formed to prepare a list of foreign nationals for their contributions in the 1971 War – believes it is more than just trade.
Responding to Khar’s statement he said, “Her response was a repetition of Pakistan’s policy of ignorance.” A formal apology would mean that Pakistan as a state “accepts its responsibility for a mistaken policy.”
Kabir says that the people in Pakistan must know how the then government and army dealt with its eastern part from 1947 to 1971. “If they (Pakistani people) know the facts, pressure for an apology will come from within.”
The apology issue is consistently raised by the Awami League in particular. Soon after independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, then prime minister of Bangladesh, demanded this. He also tried to convince international bodies to make Pakistani government pay compensation.
There has been some private acknowledgement. President Musharraf, during his official visit to Bangladesh in 2002, personally apologised. Bangladeshis still praise Musharraf for that gesture. But they want an official apology, with some explaining why it is not happening.
Pro-vice chancellor of Jahangir Nagar University, Farhad Hossain, says “Pakistan knows it will have to pay a large sum in compensation as per international standards if it apologises.” Once a formal apology is made, Pakistan would be legally bound to accept all that Bangladesh might claim as a victim – something that the Pakistani government is reluctant to do, he added.
The issue of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh is directly associated with the apology, Professor Mizanur Rahaman, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) believes. According to Refugee International, some 200,000 Urdu speaking persons are still living in more than 100 overcrowded refugee camps across Bangladesh. Since independence, many of them want to be repatriated to Pakistan but only a handful has been. An apology from Pakistan would positively address this issue as well, Rahaman said. “But does the Pakistan government want to solve it, that is a question now,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (92)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1736844171-0/Untitled-design-(71)1736844171-0-405x300.webp "article")
1736842744-0/Untitled-design-(70)1736842744-0-165x106.webp "article")
1736844265-0/fizza-(21)1736844265-0-165x106.webp "article")
1736841503-0/Untitled-design-(67)1736841503-0-165x106.webp "article")
1736846056-0/Tribune-N-(5)1736846056-0-270x192.webp "senate committee reviews bill to punish black magic practitioners")
1736839494-0/Express-Tribune-(1)1736839494-0-270x192.webp "eight arrested in karachi crypto heist rs12 9 million recovered")
1732012115-0/Untitled-design-(14)1732012115-0-270x192.webp "punjab cm maryam nawaz launches free 3 marla plot scheme")
1736765990-0/fizza-(14)1736765990-0-270x192.webp "taylor swift gives 100 000 bonus and hand written note to eras tour crew members after u s leg")
Bangladesh's most important and complex foreign relationship is with India. This relationship is formed by historical and cultural ties and is strengthened because of India's involvement in liberating the people of Bangladesh from Pakistan. This forms an important part of the domestic political discourse. Bangladesh's relationship with India began on a positive note because of India's assistance in the independence war and subsequent reconstruction. Throughout the years, the relationship between the two countries has fluctuated for a number of reasons. A major source of tension between Bangladesh and India is the Farakka Dam.[61] In 1975, India constructed a dam on the Ganges River 10.3 mi (16.6 km) from the Bangladeshi border. Bangladesh alleges that the dam diverts much needed water from Bangladesh and adds a man-made disaster to a country already plagued by natural disasters. However, both countries recognize the importance of good relations, regional security and South Asian economic integration. In 2009, Bangladeshi security forces launched a crackdown on Indian insurgents hiding in the country's border regions, captured and deported the leaders of several insurgent groups
@Yasser: Pakistan must not apologize for anything if Bangladesh and india mustnt
@Abdullah Harun: actually there are lots of people in bangladesh living in poverty and hunger. same amount as pakistan and india.
@Mehedi Hasan: To be honest you aint seen half of pakistan, mashalla its beautiful but like bangladesh and India it has its bad spots, poverty, etc. have you witnessed shahi mahal, Moti masjid, Faisal Masjid, the crossroads, the cities. Bangladesh is not prettier or richer. What do they have which is more beautiful than pakistans?
@Yoghurt lover: Why dont you mention that Lots of Indians murderd pakis not just the other way around. pakistan had to fight back. India had a hissy fit that it would not be the largest country without pakistan, but Pakiistan deserved its independance. Later on west Pakistan and East Pakistan started an argument over the importance of language. east pakistan wanted the same amount of importance for bengali language which urdu received. that was not going to happen as urdu is a pagan language. They should not have started war over it but many pakis died just like bengalis. Why dont we mention how pakistan helps other countries even though they are in poverty still. they helped the Rowandan genocide.They helped gaza and many others
Decession
I m from pakistan and after reading the whole history pertaining to East pakistan, my decission is simply as under and i think i should regard it as the most unbiased decission.
1947-1971 = We should feel shame as a nation what we did with our brothers, shame on my country , shame and again shame.
Majeeb: If he (Majeeb) won the elections then Bhutto was having no reason to reject, he was a person who escalate the situation by pressurizing the president not to call a meeting for prime minister. He was a prime cause of this conflict, after which he took some army generals with him who then planned the failed operations search light which was a total failure in long run. It was bhutto who once said that a east pakistan is a failed land due to flood and many other issues : Mr. Bhutto see this land now how much it has progressed over the years economically and politically, May Allah Guide you over your this stupidity.
Main demerit of the operation was that we thought we could fail the movement by force and capturing majeeb will defuse this movement to die which was nt the reality.
The army completely ignored the intervention of India while planning that operation, (stupidity).
Bengalis: Despite of all these problems, Bengalis should not revolt in that way , they completely ignored sit and talk policy, so majeeb or a bengali can go to India and can make a request for the military intervention??? so the 30000 Pak army in east pakistan (mostly benglais) can straight away changed their faiths from pakistan so suddenly? so they were also ready to be trained by the RAW as a mukti bahini? benglis in air force before this war can even try to hijack an air force jet fighter alongwith a 20 years old young pilot to india who ultimately got shahdat by dislodging his plane to ground. it means you can do any thing if u got a fight with your brother at home, even u will be ready to kill him with the help of worst enemy? oh come on , u got an independence from hindustan how come u thought to seek their help? and help for what actually?
An Ex air cheif of pak air force once told that during 71 he called at one of the area at bangladesh to inform a potential attack coming their way by indian air force, the begali (Was an air force employee) refused to listen by stating its his sleeping time).
No one use to apologise over these incidence coz its a never ending problem, pak will claim the killings by mukti bahini and indian intervention and will also claim an apology by india and Bangladesh as well.
Decision: Over all i think we as a nation has to give the blaim for that whole incidence completely we allow every thing to happen and we let them a chance which we could avoid by giving them their rights completely
Decession
I m from pakistan and after reading the whole history pertaining to East pakistan, my decission is simply as under and i think i should regard it as the most unbiased decission.
1947-1971 = We should feel shame as a nation what we did with our brothers, shame on my country , shame and again shame.
Majeeb: If he (Majeeb) won the elections then Bhutto was having no reason to reject, he was a person who escalate the situation by pressurizing the president not to call a meeting for prime minister. He was a prime cause of this conflict, after which he took some army generals with him who then planned the failed operations search light which was a total failure in long run. It was bhutto who once said that a east pakistan is a failed land due to flood and many other issues : Mr. Bhutto see this land now how much it has progressed over the years economically and politically, May Allah Guide you over your this stupidity.
Main demerit of the operation was that we thought we could fail the movement by force and capturing majeeb will defuse this movement to die which was nt the reality.
The army completely ignored the intervention of India while planning that operation, (stupidity).
Bengalis: Despite of all these problems, Bengalis should not revolt in that way , they completely ignored sit and talk policy, so majeeb or a bengali can go to India and can make a request for the military intervention??? so the 30000 Pak army in east pakistan (mostly benglais) can straight away changed their faiths from pakistan so suddenly? so they were also ready to be trained by the RAW as a mukti bahini? benglis in air force before this war can even try to hijack an air force jet fighter alongwith a 20 years old young pilot to india who ultimately got shahdat by dislodging his plane to ground. it means you can do any thing if u got a fight with your brother at home, even u will be ready to kill him with the help of worst enemy? oh come on , u got an independence from hindustan how come u thought to seek their help? and help for what actually?
An Ex air cheif of pak air force once told that during 71 he called at one of the area at bangladesh to inform a potential attack coming their way by indian air force, the begali (Was an air force employee) refused to listen by stating its his sleeping time).
No one use to apologise over these incidence coz its a never ending problem, pak will claim the killings by mukti bahini and indian intervention and will also claim an apology by india and Bangladesh as well.
Decision: Over all i think we as a nation has to give the blaim for that whole incidence completely we allow every thing to happen and we let them a chance which we could avoid by giving them their rights completely.
Yes. Pakistan should apologize to us for the immense human suffering and chaos they made during in 1971. Not only that they should take back their Bihari people that are still stuck in Bangladesh. And give us back our tax money, which they invested to build industries and their atomic bomb. Pakistan should say sorry for commuting genocides and destroying our infrastructures in 1971.
Brother @ Mashiur Rahman, I wish I would have been living in a dream but unfortunately it was never a dream. No father tells his son a lie or false or fabricated events and sames goes for my father. Also most importantly I am speaking here as a muslim so you would have not said this one sided part had you ever read the history on factual events that took place in detail. I hope you are not that right-winged extremist kind of person. . Let me clear you and put the record straight that Pak Army was never ever sent to kill innocent Bangalis there in east pakistan. It was only the right-winged Mujibur Rahman's supporters who got agitated and started killing and torturing a number of west pakistanis residing in East Pakistan with the clear help of Indian's involvement. Thats why the Indian always claimed that they won the 1971 war and threw the 2 nation theory in the arabian sea as these Indian agents were killing, torturing and raping both east and west pakistanis that resulted in a disaster. . There were hundred of thousands bangalis as well as non-bangalis killed in East Pakistan and it was complete havoc in Jessore, Saidpur, Faridpur and other districts for which the army was sent to take control over these where they were literaly quarantined by Mukti Bhani's and their extremist bangali supporters due to lack of supplies and at later days, got killed through poisoned food supllies they were provided by locals there. The Army personal started to eat raw fruit and vegetables from the fields to survive but even the vegetables were too injected with poison by Bhanis and their agents at night where many men got killed. The army could not survive that damage that became the main cause of surrendering of 90,000 army men which is an absolute truth and nothing but the truth.
@Yasser: You are living in dream. You think that Bangladeshi and Mukti bahini started the war and killing. LoL.. How stupid you are. at 25th march 1971 the PAK armi killed over 5000 innocent / unarmed Bangladeshi people at Dhaka and started the war. Bro you are Muslim , if you tell lie , you will have to suffer. So please check the history again and speak the truth.
@ Yougart Lover . Two sorries from my part. . The first sorry for I clearly see you only understood the word "apology" very well and you did not see the mistakes mentioned after it. . The second sorry that you never got my point. My father fought that war and though he fought at West-Pakistan bordering India but he saw many of his friends and colleagues in Pakistan Army poisoned and killed by Bangladeshi supplies in east Pakistan which was the major reason of surrendering. He told several terrible events and believe me, the only mistake was the unfortunate presence of civilian west pakistanis in east-pakistan who were killed by Bhanis and bangalis at large. Please refer to the comments of Javed Sarwar as what heppened to him in East Pakistan then and there. I do believe what he said.
@saqib: bengalis sided with India because their own army( read Na-pak army) killed and raped them. http://www.genocidebangladesh.org/
@Lala Gee @G. Din
You two deserve each other. You are just the two sides of the same coin. You should be best of pals.
@The Khan: Pakistanis are not allowed family visas in Kuwait and Iraq whereas even Indian Hindus have no such problem. Even for employee only visas, Kuwait and Iraq are very strict.
@Lala Gee: "Oh. I didn’t know India gifted Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in a platter to Pakistan." Good Now you know. Cheers!
@Lala Gee: While lagging behind in absolute numbers, Bangladesh has the highest GDP growth rate in the region even trouncing India last year. With its current GDP growth rate, Bangladesh's GDP per capita will easily overtake those of many other countries in the region in the next 10 years or so. . Pakistan's growth rate is languishing and is expected to stagnate further especially with the loss of Coalition Support Funds come 2014.
@Yasser
You see Yasser, we can apologize for our mistakes and not that of someone else.
You need to learn the meanings of some English words such as apology.
@Raj - USA: What planet you on. Where do you get the stats of GCC snubbing Pakistan. Thousands of Pakistanis are coming to GCC for work and high pay. And Turkey.. How is Turkey snubbing us. And i can understand Malaysia's stance due but again there are thousands of Pakistani students studying in Malaysia. Yet to understand where this snub is affecting rich people of Pak like us.
Btw i live in Saudi: own a GMC Yukon and my son is studying in Canada before you start accusing KSA LOL
Apology or no apology but Tribune article has been published on the front page in Dhaka's Daily Sun, Monday! Bravo! My simple question is are you being paid by Hasina government? With sliding popularity graph due to mega scandals (Padma Bridge) and exposure of the much touted War Crimes Trials by The Economists, Pakistan's apology is just the oxygen she needs for the forthcoming elections.
Bangal has a unique chractristic.Its soil,rivers,sea winds are rebelion in nature,so are the people there..Devastating floods femine.high population density,kept bangals under the tight jaws of poverty even during british raj.The eastern part of bangal came into Pakistan's share with all short comings thus, a big liability for west Pakistan, already short of resources.Bangali leaders exploited that natural disparity and united whole eatern volk against west pakistan.Bangalis are known for their oneness (aeka) and that aeka was very well abused by SM.Stupid six point agenda is a writen proof that eastern wing wanted to make rest of Pakistan its slave.This roused the racial sentiments of western elites against Bangalis.adding nothing but more oil to the fire.Bangladesh disastor is thus a two way story with Bangali starting it first. Today Bangladesh is progressing not because of its secession from Pakistan but, because of extreme poverty which enables it by virtue of some international laws,free acces to western markets..Forget about apology the way they want.Wish Bangladesh all the best.
This page became the theater of egoistic Pakistanis' nonsense talks and excellent show off their ignorance. Unfortunately Pakistanis were not even taught the right history in their school books.They only learn how to get biased in propaganda and find issues to twist their own dark history. The only things they can proud of is the huge production of fanaticism and the talented mastermind criminals to destroy own property as well as same in foreign land. It has been found several times that the trainers and mastermind behind many anarchy in Bangladesh are Pakistanis.They came to save Islam..what a fun! Oh! forget to mention .they can also proud for .the big big atom bomb although their small bombs are killing people everywhere in Pakistan in every single minutes which totaled may be more than a single atom bomb can do. What else they can proud for...hmm..they can say we are going to be the 1st real failure nation in the world...we will die dreaming killing Indians, annexing India and people are watching and singing ..Pakistan bla bla....and then suddenly a bomb on the head and...in another Pakistani in final dream...
Bandladesh should not ask for apology from Pakistan.I was in East Pakistan since my birth I have seen the killings of childrens,mens,womans and raped victims.All were done by Begalis to non bengalis. These non Bengalis included Pathans,Punjabis,urdu speakings and majority were Biharis. It was the Bengalis who after the arrest of Mujibur Rahman by Pak army started taking revenge against all non bengalis living in East Pakistan.There were almost 3 millions non bengalis killed in East Pakistan. Distrcts ofJessore,Dinajpur,Saidpur,Rajshahi and Faridpur was hard hit with very few survivors.Whan finally Pak army came to control the area there killings of bengalis during that period but the figures given by Bangladesh is highly exagrated. Let us forget the past but Bangladesg should first apologise then Pakistan should follow. Banladesh has taken the properties of Biharis and even the banks accounts of non bengalis were frozen after the creation of Bangladesh. My first job was In East Pakistan WAPDA and after Bangladesh I was dismissed being a supporter of Pakistan. I am lucky to be alive. Where as In West Pakistan the bengalis were trated nice. There proprties were not taken , bank accounts were not frozen and not a single bendalis was killed in retaliation. Bangladesh should compenste for the properties left by non bengalis and Pakistan government should demand that properties left in Bangladesh be compensated by filing claims. Then the process of apology should be discussed..
@Lala Gee: In addition to what I have said earlier that Pakistani muslims and Bangladeshi muslims do not go the the same mosque even, I would add that the Bangladeshis I meet at the Indian movie theaters have often expressed their desire to visit Ajmir Christi Darga in India. None have mentioned of their desire to visit any religious place in Pakistan. Bangladeshis may be muslims as Pakistanis, but they have very little in common or bonding even in religion with Pakistan. There are probably more Bangladeshis living in India than in Pakistan. Bangladeshis have language bonding with India and also more of a cultural bonding with India than Pakistan.
@SaneVoice:
"There is no wrong in serving an apology to Bangladesh. Apology doesn’t mean you were wrong or other person was right it means that your relationship is valuable than your ego."
Of course, as sincere apology has to come from the heart accepting and acknowledging YOU were wrong and did harm to others. Otherwise, what is the meaning of an apology? Is is just meant as a lip service only?
(West) Pakistan owe's bangali's an apology for not allowing them to form government when they had majority, as well as depriving Bangalies share in development as well as equal role in armed forces, bureaucracy, etc..... any one with a view into history should know that it was west Pakistan elite...and superior mind that led to creation of Bangladesh. India saw an opportunity and we created the same so lets not blame them, blame our-self
As a Pakistani i say sorry - and regret what our leaders did!
Pakistan Zindabad
Those who are dumb enough to think that it was an Indian Muktibahini rather than Bengali Mukti bahini, this link is for those educated or uneducated dumb people. By the way, this video was made in Pakistan, not Bangladesh. Go through the documentary and learn some history. By the way, we are not crying for your apology. That is something which should come from any human being who is a good human being and if he has done something wrong. We are doing much better than Pakistan now. We are moving ahead. Before showing illogical anger, learn some history and come back here to comment. For you the link is here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHEZRXgn4j4
@Tuhin S Adhikary: What is meant by 3 million? If I ask u. Pls don't get angry. A British journalist asked Late Sheikh Mujib abt the number of Martyr. He replied 3 million. He wanted to express 3 lakh(approx). But unfortunately the word 'million' was taken widely. Now u can raise a question. A leader like SK.Mujib was not familiar to the word 'million'? It is very much unfortunate that the policy maker of west pakistan was so greedy for power. And hence India took the opportunity. We the Bangladeshi still believe that, the division of Pakistan was not right. And of course India involved in that war only to teach PAK army as well as their interest. We have had enough from India. Now it is our turn. Bangladesh Jamat e Islam and their student wing Islami chhatra shibir has taken the responsibility to take out Bangladesh from their so called friend India.Best of luck.
When did this apology thing become such an issue? It was not a problem until this anti-Pakistan Awami League government. I don' think it's wise foreign policy on part of Sheikh Haseena to fan these flames of hatred towards Pakistan. More than two-thirds of Pakistanis are under 40 and have no recollection at all of an East Pakistan that once was. To them, Bangladesh is a distant country which is owed little more than the customary cordiality.
Still, Pakistan should take the apology request seriously in the interest of reconciliation. We should work with the Bangladeshis to draft a statement of mutual regret and apology. They should apologize about non-Benglalis and West Pakistanis who were harmed and Pakistan should apologize about the atrocities its army committed. Both sides can bury the hatchet.
@Abdullah Harun:
"Economic condition of Bangladesh is much better than Pakistan."
The GDPs of Bangladesh and Pakistan according to wikipedia.org during 2011 were as follow:
Bangladesh: GDP (PPP): $282.229 billion) / Per capita: $1,692
Pakistan: GDP (PPP): $488.580 billion / Per capita: $2,787
The comparative ratios of GDP and per capita: GDP (PPP): 1:1.73 / per capita: 1:1.65
Simply put, Pakistan's economic conditions are on average 70% better than the Bangladesh. This ratio is even better in Nominal (real Dollars) terms. Important point to note is that both GDP and Per Capita Income of Pakistan increased after 1971. Also read this news and try to figure out why these Bangladeshis don't want to leave Pakistan.
"In India or Pakistan, 30% people suffer in hunger but not a single in Bangladesh"
I cannot tell about India or Bangladesh, but certainly no one dies from hunger in Pakistan, as we produce enough food which is not only sufficient for Pakistan, but also for exports to Afghanistan, Central Asian republics, Gulf, KSA, and other countries of the world.
"There’s no crucial crisis between India and Bangladesh"
It is a good thing that you feel so, but this investigative report by an Indian writer Ramananda Sengupta, "Why Bangladesh hates India" tells different story. Also read this fact book sheet on Bangladesh to clear any confusion you might have.
@G. Din:
"@Lala Gee: In all fairness, you should drop “Gee” from your moniker"
LOL. And in all fairness you should change "Din" (Day) to "Raat" (Night, Darkness).
If this peaceful thing is done by Pakistan, it would help both sides in many aspects directly or indirectly. E.g. the internal conflict between common Bangladeshis and Jamat Islamis in Bangladesh may come to an end. Common Pakistanis (specially the youngsters) would understand the fact of 1971 which may have been placed to them otherwise. Besides, apology does not make someone insignificant or smaller, it makes the apologizer purified, cleaned of dirts.
@Lala Gee: You say: "We have good people to people relations with Bengali brothers and they now have realized that the tragedy was a result of the Indian machinations and false propaganda."
I have several Bangladeshi friends both in Kolkata and Bangladesh. Some have their children in UK. They all tell me that in UK, the Bangladeshis and Pakistanis hate each other. They do not go to the same mosque even. I see the same here in USA also. You will not see even one Pakistani in any of the Bangladeshi cultural events here. I have been to a few.
Today there is not even one muslim country that likes Pakistan. Repeat, not even one, be it Bangladesh or Afghanistan or KSA or any of the Gulf countries. Many Gulf countries refuse visas for Pakistanis. You saw what Malaysia did during the recent D-8 conference. Even Turkey snubs Pakistan. Iran has historically sided with India in all of the Pakistan sponsored resolutions on Kashmir. KSA hands over Abu jindal to India, though he holds Pakistani Passport. The days of Muslim Brotherhood are gone for ever, as far as Pakistan is concerned.
@DR SHOAIB KHAN AFRIDI: Its economy cannot make a single atom bomb while pakistan has 120.
Afridi ji, your comment made me laugh. Thanks. Your approach to compare economies is mind boggling :D Instead of per capita income / GDP based comparison and other barometers, you came up with a very innovative comparison. Hats off to you :-D
Why should we apologise?? The Bangalis committed atrocities against Pakistanis, both civillians & army personnel. Biharis, in thousands, were tortured & killed as they were loyal and supported Pakistan. Muktee Bahni in connivance with Indian Army facilitated insurgence in East Pakistan. Differences, if any, could have been resolved through talks. Pakistan Army was deployed in East Pakistan to quash rebellion, we are well aware of this fact. Demanding apology on the part of Bangladesh is unjust and uncalled for.
@DR SHOAIB KHAN AFRIDI: " ... Remember bangal and india will one day again ruled by west side pakistani but may be after half or less century once world technology and oil reserves finish and sword fighting starts ... "
You need to reduce your intake of Zaid Hamid videos. They inhibit the proper functioning of the cerebral cortex.
High time that Pakistan should apologize & ask forgiveness from BD for killing innocent civilians!
Will Bangladesh apologize to Pakistan for the massacre, torture and rape of hundreds of thousands of Urdu-speakers whom they call Pakistanis. Wiping out entire population, man, woman child. Pakistani media has maintained a criminal silence over the orgies of horror visited on them particularly from the night of December 15, 1971 till late 1972, by which time they had all been herded into concentration camps where they still rot. And much of this happened with the approval of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after his return to Dhaka on Jan 8, 1972. His eldest son, Kamal led the pogrom in Dhaka. Besides there is a catch here. Those who are crowing for immediate apology want this as a laurel in Hasina's cap whose popularity is plummeting by the day, what with the Padma Bridge mega scandal, the revelations by the Economist about the sordid affairs of the War Crimes Tribunals set up to run down the opposition BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Pakistan's self-acclaimed pundits have very little direct knowledge of events. And at best their recourse is to writings in English. They can neither read nor understand the Bengali language yet are proud of their punditry. Does anyone know that, not Bosnia-Herzegovina, not Rwanda, not Cambodia, but Bangladesh under Hasina has established a Centre for Genocide Studies in Belgium,
If there is n apology it should be offered to any other government except the Awami League. Period.
@SaneVoice: Read the whole article please. If Pakistan apologizes she would have to surrender a huge sum of money as compensation and this is what motivates Bangladesh to keep asking for an official apology even after Musharraf, while he was in power, has already apologized for it. So its no apology they want anymore, they want the money now! Such a low approach to go by! And there's no way Kashmir issue can be compared with Bangladesh's. The motives are different!
i have already posted my comments
this person "yoghurt lover" is a true anti-pakistani. surely he or she is not aware of the events that took place in 1971. tell me mr why did Mujeeb ur Rehman go to India in 1963 to hatch conspriacies against united Pakistan? why did bengalis side with India? I agree west pakistan government, even the army did many wrongs, but do u mean to say that the bengalis are totally innocent...? they did nothing wrong...? is that what u want to say. first improve ur knowledge mr. It was pakistan army who saved them many a times. i think its time things should move on
Rationally speaking, it was a clear clap by both hands i.e. East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) and West Pakistandue with obvious Indian involvement. There could have been a substantive dialoge over political disputes and issues by ZAB and Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman but on the contrary Sheikh Mujeeb's right wing suppportes were severaly made agitated through the clear support of Indian Mukti Bhanis who started getting rouge and been killing west Pakistani's residing over there. The Army has to respond accordingly where Mukti Bhani's involvement in tactic genociding of both east and west Pakistanis wrongly looked as severe colleteral damage by Pak army. @ Yoghurt lover, kindly add as well that . Pakistan must apologise over Indain involvement of Mukti Bhani's in tactic genociding of both east and west Pakistanis wrongly showed as severe colleteral damage by Pak army. . Pakistan must appologise over Indian terrorists in ARMY Uniforms numbering more than 500k in Indian Occupied Kashmir who are constantly involved in genociding, torturing and raping Kashmiri muslims men, women and kids there. . Pakistan must apologise over hundereds and thousands Kashmiri's protestors marched againt Indian Army's aggression last year which Indians looked with their eyes wide shut though it shocked their entire nation, media and government. . Pakistan must apologise for Bramdagh Bughti's meeting Indian Research and Analysis Wing's "RAW" cheif in New Delhi for Pakistan's good i.e. spreading terrorism and extremism in Balochistan. . Pakistan must apologise for the the facts that Bramdagh's sister, Zamur Domki, and her 12-year-old daughter, Jaana Domki were killed by Indian agents in Karachi only to agitate Bramdagh against Pakistan as it looked it was done by Pakistani agencies. . Pakistan must apologise over 13 Indian consulates bordering Pakistan in Afghanistan training and consistantly pouring extremists and terrorists in Balochistan. . Pakistan must apologise over NAWAB Akbar Bugti's SUICIDE where he killed himself in a Cave blast which also resulted in martyrdom of 4 Pakistani Special Service Group officers who were negotiating with him for surrender. And Bramdagh was saying those officers killed Nawab Akbar. How absurd and rediculous.
And the holy pious Indian blue tulsi's see Budha smiling in Pakistan for only which India must apologise.
My dear Pakistani brothers. I think we should go through the exact historical background. I am a Muslim n I will try to hold the matter just according to my shariah knowledge.Some of the readers may not accept my point.What is the meaning of Pakistan? 'La Ilaha Illallah' if I m not wrong. On which ideological perspective, Pakistan was told to be created.In fact it was not. The utilization of power was led by the government of PK who was not actually interested to establish Islam in the region. As a result the non-Muslims of India n BD became the beneficiary. I will never tell that, PK govt as well as PK community did not torture us a lot. But this was only the result of being desperate against Allah's path.The Indian Muslims also did not want the sub-continent divided. But it is the non-Muslims n those Muslims who hold the ideology of communism made this happened. We r still brother(PK-IND-BANG). Awami league is doing the same mistake with the help of those black hand(1975) n will soon fell down.
I see mostly Indians pontificating on the subject, where is Bangali opinion? To get a better feel of their thinking see the comments: http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain
Most people consider AL government of Hasina a dictatorship and there is no free press. With those fake trials falling apart what is left but to throw a tantrum with help from Dilli.
@Manan: India annexing Pakistan? Tell me more about how you are going to 'annex' kashmir, sweet dreams, eh?
Pakistani new generation should read history carefully and perfectly to know the reason of defeat and surrender of its army in 1971 in Dhaka (Dacca).
Mr G Din
Pakistani army and their local collaborators had killed 30 lakh Bangalees, violated around 4 lakh women, forced 1 crore people to leave the country during the nine-month long Liberation War of Bangladesh. Sensing definite defeat, Pakistani army surrendered before India-Bangladesh joint force on December 16, 1971. It is true, people was much angry over the Pak army. You will be the same if you have to face the atrocities faced by Bangladeshi in 1971. But, BD people, showing respecting to the international customary laws and conventions, did not attack the surrendered Pak army, which they could even the Indian army cordoned them. Bangladesh people also showed respect to the Indian army also by refraining them self of from attacking Pak army, who were Indian army's custody.
Yea Thousands of Bangalis still work in Pakistan and find better living conditions with their income here than compared to Bangladesh. Pak is going through a bad patch but in future there's no comparison b/w the two. All Pakistani Investors will take their money back from Bangladesh to Pakistan.
I just remembered something - once I saw on Bangladesh cricket facebook page that a Pakistani young boy commented on facebook that "Bangladesh bla bla bla" you can imagine what he could say LOL and many Bangladeshi people get angry and started to make comment war. Me was also one of that angry bird lol. but i thought he live in Pakistan so he might not aware about all truth and send him a friendly message which was "Muslims are brothers and we dont have to make the same mistake which Pakistan made on 1971. when one India and Pakistan match happened I can assure you that no Bangladeshi Muslims support india by heart not even our brain support pakistan but our heart say oh ALLAH - let make the muslims win."
We never feel that from pakistan ever. but Pakistan cricketers always felt that
Its not about what Bangladesh get or pakistan lost. Masha'ALLAH , ALLAH give us a lot of resources in Bangladesh - lots and lots - our total country is made by gold so we will be not left behind and we are growing faster but always remember that we Muslims not able to live together, and all blame to Pakistan. An apology can at lest decrease a little boundaries
like USA, declassify all Secret docus more than 30 years old.
There SHould Be a Definite APOLOGY from Pakistan,
@Dear Mr. Manan, Economic condition of Bangladesh is much better than Pakistan. In India or Pakistan, 30% people suffer in hunger but not a single in Bangladesh, Bangladesh never wanted to make atomic bomb. You wrote that Pakistan made 120 on the other side u wrote that Pakistan is not capable. What's the result? There's no crucial crisis between India and Bangladesh so why UN would interfere? Get matured.
@Thinker: No way.. Man; May be there was some - If you can realize what happing between IS-and Philistine.... 71 was almost same...
have a nice day!!
@Manan: LoL, Surely you got that all in the desert of Pakistan. How you are comparing this when you almost left an destroyed country. As a Muslim you should shame and for telling such things you will be punished on judgement day.
@Manan:
"UN can’t stop India from annexing Bangladesh or even Pakistan. Only reason India doesn’t do it is because it doesn’t wish to."
You're absolutely right. UN couldn't stop you annexing Sikim, Goa, Junagadh, Bhopal, Hyderabad Deccan, and Indian Occupied part of Kashmir. By the way, why this show of nobility towards Bangladesh?
"Also, Pakistan is not capable of winning any wars against India, whether they be wars based on modern mechanized armies or sword fights."
Oh. I didn't know India gifted Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in a platter to Pakistan.
@Yoghurt lover:
At least you can apologize to the victims of Sikh and Muslim holocausts committed by the Indian Hindu mobs.
//Bangladesh is very poor country. Poor so much that its economy will default if it only thought of making atomic bomb. Its economy cannot make a single atom bomb while pakistan has 120. Its economy cannot maintain a single F-16. Pakistan in spite of wrong leaders is a big powerful country . My question is that where is the PATSAN( jute) which bangali thought is running whole west pakistan. Why bangladsh is still so poor that it cannot think of atom bomb and has worst poverty rate. It was the great traitor mujeeb who misguided them and deceived its nation that after separation the third class country will become superpower. Still bangladesh is safe because of UNO otherwise once world status quo changes it will be captured by india. And bangladesh should seek apology and return all vehicles and stores and property and big factories which worth 100 billion dollars by west pakistani and also seek apology for rapes and killing of innocent west pakistani. Remember bangal and india will one day again ruled by west side pakistani but may be after half or less century once world technology and oil reserves finish and sword fighting starts//
UN can't stop India from annexing Bangladesh or even Pakistan. Only reason India doesn't do it is because it doesn't wish to. Also, Pakistan is not capable of winning any wars against India, whether they be wars based on modern mechanized armies or sword fights. This is the kind of jingoism that is pushing Pakistan down in the abyss of self destruction. Instead of thinking on the basis of trade and economy and increasing the prosperity of people of South Asia, you dream of Ghazwa e Hind. You talk about annexing India a century later. I'd suggest you first plan on surviving as a nation that long.
look at the 1970 election results, west pak did not give a single seat to mujeeb and bengali brothers did not give a single seat to PPP, JUI, NAP, PMLs. The seperation message was loud and clear from both sides. But despite the clear message we did what third world coutries usually do, they brought mukti bahni and we had the army .. and it became unpleasent. There is a lot however now that both countries can explore togther regardless of what happenned in the past.
Many Bihari muslim in india r devout pakistani.Their love for pakistan is best depicted when they hoist pakistani flag on 14th of august in their home ,mosque and villages.Pakistan has also some responsibility for them.
//Indians on this web site should shut up until Modi apologizes for fanning the hatred that led to the massacres in Gujrat. It is good to see your comments, neighbors, but look in the mirror before you hit the “post comment” icon…// I dont think so. After all, according to the foundations of your own state of Pakistan, this was bound to happen. So if Modi apologizes, it'll be an insult to the founding theory of your country. An insult to the existence of Pakistan.
//Bangladesh should apologies to Pakistan that Bengalis could not live together with the former West Pakistan, a combined Pakistan which was created by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.// That ways Pakistanis should apologize to India as it was the Pakistanis who couldn't live together with Indians simply on the basis of an unfounded theory of Hindus and Muslims being two separate nations.
I used to think ET was an anti-Pakistan website that promotes the hatred some Indians have for Pakistan, now I am 100% sure it is just that and much more.
@Mehedi Hasan: You got it ALL WRONG my Bengali writer, WE PAKISTANIS are NOT worried at all, ( that actually amde me laugh ), its YOUR politicians who are whinning and all the time cribbing, please thats what we want, people like you to raise this slogan that PLEASE GET A LIFE, unfortunately you are delivering it to the wrong audience, you should be telling this to your devoid of IQ Politicians, lol..not to Pakistanis dude, please yes, go and tell them, "guys get a life and focus on our problems, its pretty clear Pakistanis just laugh whenever we say this, and its kinda getting embarassing now" LOL
There is no need of an official apology, unless it is done by both countries, as considerable number of non-Bengalis were also killed by Mukti Bahini. We have good people to people relations with Bengali brothers and they now have realized that the tragedy was a result of the Indian machinations and false propaganda. Sh. Hussina has personal grudge against Pakistan, and does not represent general public's feelings in this regard.
Indians on this web site should shut up until Modi apologizes for fanning the hatred that led to the massacres in Gujrat. It is good to see your comments, neighbors, but look in the mirror before you hit the "post comment" icon...
Pakistan, as a state, is still committing crimes by not seeking unconditional apology for their previous crimes committed in 1971. Pakistan people, actually people having sense rationality and morality, should put pressure to their government for seeking apology. It is too late, but Bangladeshi are merciful enough. I think,they will pardon you (Pakistan) like Bangladeshis had done by returning 93,000 Pakistani army "untouched" after their surrender on December 16, 1971.
Obviously every BANGLADESHI peoples wants an official apology from Pakistan but its sad that pakistani's dont want to ask apology to their brothers. I was reading the comments and can say surely they dont aware about the real history. Nothing BANGLADESH will gain from pakistan apology as we loosed what we have to loose. Alhamdulillah, Bangladesh is moving faster so pakistani peoples dont have to worry :)
What a pathetic headline!
i heard about this anti Pakistani web site waznt sure.. but its true...... ask the people who fought the the war how the Pakistan army saved many people ask the AL-badar brigade y they were fighting against mukti bahni and raw.... and u are asking that Pakistan should apologize.. y this site is still online???
When you are in the wrong the least you can do is apologize.
Bangladesh should appolgise to Pakistan for breaking the Madina-e-Sani with covert help of India.
@Truth be told and Pakistani who write "They should actually be gratefull for us providing the foundation on which the pillars of their independence stand." and "They only one who needs to apologise is Bangladesh for siding with India and the MuktiBahni"
True! Also.
1) Sheikh Hasina should apologize for her husband's audacity for demanding human rights for Bangladeshis.
2) USA should apologise for killing Osama and Osama should apologise for not destroying USA.
3) India should apologise for winning all the wars. India should also apologise for Kargil where it killed thousands of infiltrating Pakistani soldiers. India should also apologise for Kargil for asking Pakistan to take back the bodies of their soldiers.
4) India should apologise for exposing Pakistan's wretched nature. India should apologise for proving Kasab to be Pakistani. India should apologise for not letting Pakistan kill 6,000,000 (which would have made it the biggest genocide) in 1971 and stopping them at 3,000,000.
The list is endless.
Aahh...move on move on...
Apology? They only one who needs to apologise is Bangladesh for siding with India and the MuktiBahni
Only Hasina wants this otherwise our relations were good before her Government. She should better give rights to the opposition party & apologise to them for arresting them without any reason before the elections. Oh and yeah restore caretaker Government law Miss Haeena, you cannot snub the rights of opposition & arrange election under your corrupt Government.
What a profound read! At least one from Pakistan realized that. That's why I always say, it's not the the people but government who is utterly stubborn! What a shame!
Bangladesh should apologies to Pakistan that Bengalis could not live together with the former West Pakistan, a combined Pakistan which was created by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
It was Bangladesh which seeked the help of Indian Army to cut Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan in to two pieces.
A Benglai will remain Bengali, no matter wherever he or she lives in the world.
Pakistanis have lost faith and confidence in Bengalis. No more trust please.
I have not seen an anti-Pakistan website like tribune. They should be thankful they are being allowed to operate in Pakistan. If they were in India and as anti-Indian as they are anti-Pakistan, they would have been shut down long ago. Its really great for us Indians to write against Pakistan here. I am sure tribune will not publish these comments.
Apologize for not protecting non bangali pakistani civilians, children and women from killers and rappers of Mukti Bahni.
Apology for what? for collaborating with the enemy??? Apology my Foot
Happy Independence to Bangladesh...
Economic gap between East and West Pakistan in 1960s is often cited as a key reason for the secessionist movement led by Shaikh Mujib's Awami League and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. This disparity has grown over the last 40 years, and the per capita income in Pakistan now stands at more than twice Bangladesh's in 2012 in nominal dollar terms, higher than 1.6 as claimed by Bangladeshi economist Akbar Ali Khan in 1971.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/12/comparing-bangladesh-with-pakistan-in.html
There is no wrong in serving an apology to Bangladesh. Apology doesn't mean you were wrong or other person was right it means that your relationship is valuable than your ego.
"Bangladesh should move on, build cordial relationships and “bury the past”"
Yes. Bury the past. Bury Kashmir issue - the most bigoted causes in the world (division of a country based on religion).