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Published : 17 Apr 2025, 10:23 PM
Bangladesh has asked Pakistan to resolve historical issues to strengthen ties between the two nations by seeking a formal apology for the 1971 genocide and compensation of about $4.5 billion.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin said these matters were raised during a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch in Dhaka on Thursday.
In a briefing after the meeting, he said: “I have raised the existing historically unresolved issues with Pakistan, including repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, Bangladesh’s fair share of undivided wealth, transfer of foreign aid money sent for the victims of the 1970 cyclone, and a formal apology for the genocide committed by the then Pakistani armed forces in 1971.
“As a friendly neighbour of Bangladesh in South Asia, we seek Pakistan’s cooperation in building a strong, welfare, and future-oriented relationship by resolving the existing historically unresolved issues.
He noted that Pakistan expressed its “willingness” to engage in ongoing discussions, with future meetings aimed at resolving these issues.
He also said, “The meeting with Pakistan today was meant to be a regular one, but the last one took place in 2010.
“So, we don't expect the issue to be resolved in this first meeting after nearly 15 years.”
Jashim said: “According to one calculation by the former deputy chairman of the Bangladesh Planning Commission, [it is] $4 billion.
“Another calculation says $4.32 billion, and we have mentioned this figure in today’s discussion.
“Following the devastating cyclone that occurred in November 1970, several foreign countries and organisations donated money equivalent to $200 million, which we have also asked for in this meeting,” he added.
