Dhaka, August 25: Bangladesh has once again called on Pakistan to issue a formal apology for the atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War, raising the demand during a bilateral meeting in Dhaka on Sunday.
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made the appeal to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was on a two-day official visit from August 23–24.
“Regarding the long outstanding historic issues including a formal official apology for the genocide committed by Pakistan in 1971, division of assets, transfer of foreign aid meant for cyclone victims of 1970, and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, Bangladesh called for their early resolution in order to establish a solid foundation for enduring and forward-looking bilateral relations,” Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Dar also held a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his stay.
Despite the sensitive backdrop, the two countries signed one bilateral agreement and five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Sunday. The deal included a visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and government passports.
The five MoUs covered:
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Establishment of a joint working group on trade
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Cultural exchange programs
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Cooperation between foreign service academies
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Collaboration between state-run news agencies
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Partnership between the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Pakistan’s Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)
Earlier, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Bangladesh’s Adviser for Commerce Sk Bashir Uddin met in Dhaka to discuss boosting mutual investment, trade, and economic cooperation.
While trade and cultural ties continue to be explored, the unresolved issue of Pakistan’s apology for the 1971 genocide remains the single biggest obstacle to normalising relations. Bangladesh has consistently pressed for a formal apology, but successive Pakistani governments have avoided issuing one, offering instead expressions of regret.