Bangladesh asks Pakistan to apologise for 1971 atrocities

Dhaka: Bangladesh has demanded a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities carried out by its troops during the 1971 Liberation War. The demand came as the new Pakistani envoy called on Foreign Minister Dipu Moni here. “The foreign minister yesterday sought Pakistan’s understanding and recognition of Bangladesh’s position on resolving the outstanding issues including an expression of formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide and atrocities committed by the Pakistani military in 1971,” a foreign office spokesman told PTI here today. [caption id=“attachment_136187” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Bangladesh army commandos march during the nation’s 30th Victory Day parade in Dhaka celebrating independence from Pakistan after a nine-month long liberation war on this day in 1971. Reuters”]  [/caption] He said Moni also asked new Pakistani High Commissioner Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi to settle the issues of division of assets and war reparations saying, “early resolution of the outstanding issues would enable the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan to make a great leap forward and create a wider space for cooperation”. A foreign office statement, earlier said Moni, however, conveyed her sympathies for the flood victims in Pakistan while she appreciated Afrasiab’ s point that an enhanced level of people-to-people contact could go a long way towards promoting better understanding among the two people. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Awami League has sought a Pakistan apology for the atrocities and genocide in 1971 when as per official figures three million people were killed and over two lakh women were tortured by Pakistani troops and their Bengali-speaking collaborators. The country won the independence after nine months of Liberation War crucially backed by India. The demand for apology came as the trial of several high profile Bengali-speaking suspects of 1971 “crimes against humanity” is underway at a special tribunal. Foreign ministry officials had earlier said since 1971, Bangladesh wanted its share of $4 billion worth of pre-independence exchange, bank credit, and movable assets, which were deposited or protected in West Pakistan during the Liberation War. Bangladesh also wants settlement of $200 million, which Pakistan received from the international community as donation for the 1970 cyclone victims of the then East Pakistan. Under a 1975 agreement, Bangladesh accepted half of Pakistan’s pre-1971 external debts, but the asset-sharing issue remained unresolved. PTI