DHAKA – Bangladesh has demanded $4.52 billion from Pakistan as its share of pre-1971 assets, along with a formal apology for the genocide committed against Bangladeshis by the Pakistan military.

The assets include foreign aid, unpaid provident funds, savings instruments, and $200 million given by international donors for the 1970 cyclone, said Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin after a bilateral consultation with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch in Dhaka yesterday.

Amna led the Pakistan side at the 6th foreign secretary-level bilateral meeting. The previous one was held 15 years ago.

Baloch also called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.

Prof Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met in New York in September 2024 and in Cairo in December 2024.

The two countries are normalising relations following the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, officials said.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on April 27-28 in the first ministerial visit in 12 years.

Direct shipping between Pakistan and Bangladesh has already begun while trade and visa are now easier, and the two countries are working to start direct flights.

At yesterday’s meeting, Dhaka also requested repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.

The stranded Pakistanis who opted to stay in Bangladesh have been granted citizenship, but the number of those who wanted to return to Pakistan is 324,147, said the foreign secretary. They live in 79 camps across 14 districts of Bangladesh, he said. So far, 26,941 stranded Pakistanis have been repatriated.

Bangladesh made similar requests to Pakistan, but to no avail.

As Jashim briefed reporters, he was asked how the bilateral relations can be deepened while historical issues remain unresolved. He replied that Bangladesh told the Pakistan side that to establish a solid foundation for Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, the unresolved issues must be addressed.

Jashim said the Pakistan side assured that discussions would continue.

“In a meeting after 15 years, we do not expect immediate resolution. However, the willingness to engage in future discussions is a positive sign.”

Asked if Bangladesh was leaning towards Pakistan, Jashim said Bangladesh was simply trying to normalise a stagnant relationship based on national interests.

“When we reopen transport routes or enhance trade, we do it for mutual benefit. Our engagement with Pakistan is based on mutual respect and shared benefits. It is not about tilting towards one country over another. It is about securing our interests through strategic, respectful diplomacy.”

Dhaka urged Pakistan to encourage Pakistani investments in Bangladesh, reduce trade gap, remove tariff barriers, and import Bangladeshi products, he said.

In the fiscal year 2023–24, Bangladesh’s exports to Pakistan was $61.98 million and imports $627.8 million.

They discussed enhancing cooperation in farming and technology, as well as sharing experiences in coping with climate change and floods.

Both sides expressed interests in cooperation in higher education, scientific research and educational exchange scholarships.

There was a discussion on defence cooperation, Jashim Uddin said, adding that military officers from both countries have historically participated in training exchanges.

Recently, a high-level delegation from Bangladesh visited Pakistan.

Dhaka sought Pakistan’s continued support for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. Both the sides strongly condemned the genocide and grave human rights violations committed by Israel in Gaza.

They also reiterated the commitment to work together in implementing the charter of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, regional stability and development.

Pakistan is one of Bangladesh’s important neighbours in South Asia, said Jashim.

CALL ON CA

Prof Yunus told Amna that there were certain hurdles in the Bangladesh-Pakistan relations.

He emphasised on boosting mutual cooperation and exploring trade and business potentials.

Baloch said, “We have huge intra-regional markets on our own rights. We should use it.”

She said that there is a need for a regular business to business interaction between the private sectors of two countries.

Prof Yunus said he always preferred closer ties with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, in the framework of SAARC.

He said that Bangladesh and Pakistan will continue to work closely at multilateral and regional forums like SAARC, OIC, and D-8.

Senior secretary on SDG affairs Lamiya Morshed and Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof were among others present.

Asia News Network/The Daily Star