Bangladesh Renews Call for Pakistan’s Apology Over 1971 Atrocities During High-Level Visit

Dhaka, August 25 — Bangladesh has reignited its long-standing demand for a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The demand came during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, marking the most senior Pakistani delegation to Dhaka since 2012.

In an official statement, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that unresolved historical issues—most notably a formal apology for the genocide of 1971, along with the division of assets and the transfer of foreign aid intended for cyclone victims—must be addressed to pave the way for stable, forward-looking bilateral relations.

However, Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in its statement on the visit, conspicuously avoided any reference to an apology or compensation, a move that reportedly left Dhaka dismayed.

According to diplomatic sources, initial talks between Dar and Bangladeshi officials were cordial. But tensions surfaced after the Pakistani Foreign Minister visited the residence of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The visit triggered a political backlash, with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus publicly reiterating the demand for a Pakistani apology. Analysts suggest Yunus’ remarks were partly driven by domestic political considerations, as he faces criticism from opposition groups accusing him of leveraging the issue to bolster his own political position.

Dar’s meetings with BNP leaders and representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami—a party historically opposed to Bangladesh’s independence—further inflamed controversy. Both Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) urged Pakistan to confront the unresolved legacy of 1971 in order to improve bilateral ties.

Observers in Dhaka note that Yunus’ renewed demand may be as much about local political dynamics as about securing a genuine diplomatic breakthrough. The shadow of 1971 has loomed large over Bangladesh-Pakistan relations for decades, with repeated calls for apology surfacing during key bilateral engagements. A similar demand was raised earlier this year during the first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years.

Relations between the two nations have remained tense, particularly since 2010, when the Sheikh Hasina government initiated trials of collaborators accused of aiding the Pakistani military in 1971. The proceedings reopened old wounds and deepened mistrust between Dhaka and Islamabad.

As Bangladesh presses its demand, the central question persists: will Pakistan finally address these historic grievances, or will the issue remain a recurring flashpoint in the politically charged landscape of Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign policy?