Pakistan FM Dar says unresolved 1971 issues with Bangladesh 'settled twice’

Calling for a clean slate, he says there is “tremendous potential” for cooperation between the countries, particularly in economic and trade ties

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has insisted that all “unresolved issues” between Bangladesh and Pakistan stemming from the 1971 Liberation War were settled long ago -- not once, but twice.

He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to reporters in Dhaka after bilateral talks with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain.

At a foreign secretary-level meeting in April, Dhaka had pressed Islamabad to resolve longstanding issues, including a formal apology for the 1971 genocide and repayment of around $4.5 billion owed to Dhaka.

When asked about the longstanding issues, Dar said: “In 1974, the issue was resolved in writing. The document is historic and both countries have it. And later, [when] General [Parvez] Musharraf came here [in the early 2000s], he actually addressed the issue in a very open and candid manner. So the issue was resolved twice,” he said.

“Between brothers, once something is resolved, it is done, even if others may tell us to clean our hearts. Our religion tells us to make a clean start and move forward together.”

Bangladesh has long demanded that Pakistan formally apologise for the atrocities committed during the nine-month Liberation War of 1971, when an estimated 3 million people were killed and 300,000 women raped by the Pakistani occupation forces.

Half a century on, Pakistan has neither formally acknowledged the killings nor offered a state apology. During his 2002 visit to Dhaka, then-president Musharraf only expressed “regret” in general terms.

Dar also said the two sides had “covered a wide range of areas", including trade, economy, investment and mutual cooperation on security and defence.

“We had unanimity of view; we didn’t have any difference of opinion, which is a very healthy thing. One agreement and five MoUs have been signed. I think it’s a great beginning,” he added.

He also pointed to steps to ease travel between the two countries, highlighting Pakistan’s “fast visa-on-arrival, or 24-hour visa process”. He suggested Dhaka and Islamabad could explore further mechanisms to make visits easier for citizens.

Dar noted that there was “tremendous potential” for cooperation, particularly in economic and trade ties.

“There is a lot of complementarity between our two economies, especially in intermediary goods. We are working together to reach new heights in our trade relationship,” he said.

He also thanked Bangladesh for what he called “great hospitality and welcome”, saying he and his delegation were committed to “serving the people of both countries”.