EDITORIAL: Several Pakistani repatriates who arrived in Karachi … by ship from Chittagong have spoken of how warmly the announcement of Pakistan’s recognition of Bangladesh was welcomed in that country. … What the repatriates have said … is something that is confirmed by all reports emanating from Bangladesh. But nobody has articulated this change of mood as faithfully … as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself. … Accor­ding to [an] interview, the BD Prime Minister was “overwhelmed by the love and affection shown by the people of Pakistan. …”

In the lives of nations as well as individuals tragedies have to be assimilated, and their memories … prevented from creating immobility … in response to life’s demands. Now that both Pakistan and Bangladesh have remembered this fact … they might as well begin … to grapple with the problems involved in building a relationship that serves the interests of both. … In his … interview, Sheikh Mujib said … that diplomatic ties between Dacca and Islamabad could be established “very soon”. Unless “very soon” is quite soon, perhaps a beginning could be made with the establishment of consular relations and trade offices.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2024