DHAKA, June 14: The Bangladesh-Pakistan Forum (BPF), formally launched in April, held a day-long seminar on Monday on prospects for closer ties between the two countries.
Maj Gen Mohammad Ibrahim, who fought against the Pakistan army in 1971, presented a paper entitled “Strategic dynamics of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations”.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Dhaka, Mr Iqbal Ahmed Khan, was also present on the occasion.
Discussing Bangladesh’s geopolitical compulsions, Gen Ibrahim, in his paper, said: “If 30 years is a generation, it’s time to look back at the events of 1971 and learn lessons for the future”.
He said although India is not a member of the OIC, it houses the second largest number of Muslims in the world.
He said that as New Delhi had worked for the emergence of Bangladesh, it had a strong basis to claim priority in friendship with Dhaka.
On the other hand, he added, Bangladeshis had an emotional attachment with the Muslim bloc, especially Pakistan, because it was the only Muslim country with nuclear capability.
Gen Ibrahim said that one group of people in Bangladesh is against any rapprochement with Pakistan, while there are others who advocate friendly relations with Islamabad.
He concluded by saying that “some way must be found whereby sentiments of the Bangladeshi people about the wrongdoings in 1971 are taken care of, and the issues of division of assets and the stranded Pakistanis are settled”.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Mr Iqbal Ahmad Khan, admitted both the countries have a complex relationship. He stressed the need for more cooperation between both the countries.
Professor Imtiaz Ahmed said that it is necessary to form a joint court by Bangladesh and Pakistan to probe the 1971 tragedy.
Professor Ms Dilara Chowdhury urged the Pakistan authorities to take into consideration the concerns of the people of Bangladesh with regard to the 1971 crisis if they (Pakistanis) wanted to promote relations between the two countries.
Prof Moonis Ahmar of Karachi University pointed out that with “fair intentions, substantial will and determination”, both countries can overcome the present stalemate.