Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim govt, on Thursday urged Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to “settle the issues” of 1971 “once and for all” to help Dhaka “move forward” with its relationship with Islamabad.
Yunus, though, stopped short of demanding a formal apology from Pakistan for mass killings and rapes of Bangladeshi civilians by its Army during the liberation war. Former PM Sheikh Hasina had set this as a pre-condition for taking the first step towards normalization of bilateral ties.
Sharif called for a “strategic relationship” between the two governments when he met Yunus on the sidelines of D8 Summit in Cairo. “We are looking forward to strengthening ties with our brother country Bangladesh,” he said, praising Yunus for his “initiative” to revive SAARC, and Dhaka for working on the possibility of hosting a summit of the grouping.
Shehbaz calls for ‘strategic ties’ at meet with Yunus
“This is a top priority,” Yunus told the Pakistan PM. “I am a big fan of the idea of Saarc. I keep harping on the issue. I want a summit of Saarc heads even if it is only for a photo session because That will carry a strong message,” he said. A bid to revive SAARC is a key feature of Yunus’s foreign policy.
Sharif said the 1974 tripartite agreement between Bangladesh, Pakistan and India settled things, “but if there are other outstanding issues”, he would be happy to look at them.
Bangladesh, during the Awami League regime, repeatedly called for a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities and genocide committed during the war of liberation in 1971. In contrast, the interim govt seems to be getting closer to Pakistan in a changed political scenario.
In clear signs of Dhaka’s desire to veer towards Islamabad, Yunus and Sharif agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries through increased trade, commerce, and exchange of sports and cultural delegations. They expressed their desire to extend cooperation in new areas such as the sugar industry and dengue management.
Sharif invited Yunus to Pakistan “at his convenience”.