Afia Ambreen
In one of the most divisive elections in Pakistan’s history, Imran Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has emerged victorious. In his 100-day plan, Prime Minister Imran Khan looks to initiate new policies rooted in Pakistan’s priorities, including a conflict-resolution approach towards improving relations with eastern and western neighbors. The PTI also intends to initiate work on a blueprint towards resolving the Kashmir issue within the parameters of the UNSC resolutions. Other policy measures envisaged include “Improve Pakistan’s relevance, regionally and globally, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels including moves to expand the existing strategic partnership with China, as well as with our allies in the region.” It is important to mention here Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Dhaka could extend its cooperation to Pakistan’s new government under Premier Imran Khan’s leadership for their mutual welfare. “Imran Khan came to power after making massive struggle. We will extend cooperation to him if he seeks it from us, she said. In her letter she said, “I would like to convey our best wishes for your good health. We wish that the benefits of economic progress and development under your leadership permeate all the strata of society and touch the everyday lives of the people of Pakistan.”
Dhaka-Islamabad relations plunged to their lowest ebb since Bangladesh initiated the war crimes trial in 2010 exposing Bengali war criminals who allegedly carried out atrocities while siding with Pakistani troops in the 1971 war. Pakistan and Bangladesh share a bitter past. They were one country and before 1971 and got separated in a painful and bloody war. In December 1971, the then Eastern Wing of Pakistan separated from the Western Wing due to political differences that emerged after 1971 general elections. The then Awami League leaders and activists were incited and misled by India to conspire against the Pakistan’s central government and galvanized them to launch a guerrilla war against the Pakistani military. It is now abundantly clear that the separation of East Pakistan was a result of Awami League’s guerilla war against Pakistani military, which was engineered by India. India also did not shy away from launching a direct military aggression against Pakistan in December 1971. This fact became even more confirmed and clearer when Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi admitted during his visit to Bangladesh that India played an important role in the break-up of Pakistan.
Events in East Pakistan, documented by many of the historians, negate the propaganda against Pakistan Army, suggesting that it was ‘Mukti Bahini’ trained and abetted by India that let loose the killing spree of West Pakistanis stationed in East Pakistan. The mad boys of Mukti Bahini obsessed with vengeance and venom did not spare the innocent children and women even. On 18 December 1971, Indian-trained Mukti Bahini killers set up a human abattoir in Dhaka Race Course. Eye gouging and burning the skin of the victims was a favorite torture method of the rebels. Since his advent to power in Dhaka, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman has drummed the phony charge that Pakistan Army has killed three million of his countrymen in 1971. In civil strife, there is undoubtedly some loss of life on both sides but it is unbelievable that all through the nine months of strife in East Pakistan. There is an ample evidence to prove that India was sending weapons and ammunition and armed infiltrators into East Pakistan to help the Awami League cadres long before the federal military intervention on March 25, 1971. One can quote many speeches of Mujib, Awami League leaders and the activities of Awami League student wing in Dhaka University against Pakistan and for the establishment of Bangladesh. It is also crystal clear that the Awami League’s terror machine was the initiator and executor of the genocide of non-Bengalis which exterminated at least half a million of them in less than two months of horror and trauma.
Bangladesh has all the reasons to blame Pakistan so as to justify its creation, however, events have been excessively fabricated and exaggerated either at Indian directive or for political gains. Somehow, India does not want Bangladesh to forget about 1971 hence, continues to remind it every now and then. Pakistan and Bangladesh can either be friends or stay indifferent to each other owing to distance as well as no mutual enmity; hence, propaganda of interference holds no grounds. Water issues, border violations and smugglings between India and Bangladesh are matter of concern for both. Pakistan tends to gain nothing from instability of Bangladesh, whereas a strong and prosperous single homogenous state in such close proximity is detrimental to the interests of Indian Union.
In the changed geopolitical and strategic environment around South Asia and with emerging economic opportunities, it is important for both Pakistan and Bangladesh to forget about their bitter past, shun India’s spoiler role and develop mutually beneficial relations with each other to improve their economies and wellbeing of their people. In this context, it would be wise if Sheikh Hussina Wajid also forgets the bitter past, shuns India’s spoiler role, and endeavours to improve BD’s relations with Pakistan and Bangladesh should join the CPEC to exploit vast trade opportunities within South Asia, with West Asia, the Central Asian Republics, China and Russia.
