Bangladesh has asked Pakistan to apologise ‘officially’ for the 1971 genocide and complete repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Dhaka.
State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Thursday made the call when newly appointed Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui paid a courtesy call on him at his office.
The state minister reiterated the importance of resolving outstanding bilateral issues with Pakistan, including offering of an official apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, completing repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh, and settling the issue of the division of assets, the foreign ministry said.
About 3 million Bangladeshis were killed and over 300,000 women were raped by the Pakistan army and their collaborators in 1971.
The State Minister “cordially welcomed the High Commissioner and highlighted that enhancing relations with all neighbouring countries was a foreign policy priority of the Government.
“In line with that spirit, we look forward to engaging with Pakistan”, he said.
He also urged Pakistan to grant access to more Bangladeshi products by utilizing the existing SAFTA provisions, relaxing the negative list and removing trade barriers. The current trade balance tilts towards Pakistan.
High Commissioner Siddiqui conveyed the very best wishes of the people and the Government of Pakistan to the State Minister and said that he would give due diligence to advancing bilateral relations in every possible area of cooperation.
Both sides agreed on the need to hold the long-pending Foreign Office Consultations, which was last held in 2010.
The State Minister assured the High Commissioner of all cooperation and assistance during his tenure in Dhaka.