The interim government of Bangladesh has demanded an apology from Pakistan. Also said that Pakistan should apologize for the crimes against humanity committed in the year 1971 and only then the relations can improve. Recently, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh had also met several senior members of the interim government in Dhaka.
According to the Dhaka Tribune report, Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohammad Tauhid Hussain has said that the current government has not given Pakistan the impression that it is seeking good relations by keeping the 1971 issue aside. He says that if Pakistan apologizes, it will prove helpful in normalizing relations between the two countries.
According to the newspaper, he said, ‘We have not heard anything from Pakistan. I personally feel that if they (Pakistan government) show courage to talk about 1971 and say that they want to apologise, then relations will become easier. According to the report, Bangladesh wants Pakistan to make a public and formal announcement and apologize for the atrocities committed on unarmed Bengalis in 1971.
Tauhid Hussain said, ‘Japan has been apologizing for its actions since World War II. I believe that if a government in Pakistan can show courage and make such a statement, then normalization of relations will become easier. He said Bangladesh wants good relations with Pakistan, but the issues of 1971 will remain. He said, ‘1971 is always in our hearts.’
During his meeting with Professor Mohammad Yunus, head of the interim government of Bangladesh, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif talked about the relations between the two countries. According to the report, Sharif had said that Bangladesh and Pakistan should start a new chapter in their relations.
