Bangladesh seeks apology from Pakistan over 1971 Atrocities
Bangladesh has formally sought a public apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the 1971 Liberation War, which led to Bangladesh’s independence. This demand was made during the first foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries in 15 years, held in Dhaka on April 17, 2025. Bangladesh raised several historically unresolved issues with Pakistan, including:
A formal public apology for the 1971 genocide and war atrocities.
Financial reparations amounting to approximately USD 4.3 to 4.5 billion, representing Bangladesh’s share of pre-independence Pakistan’s combined assets, unpaid provident funds for public servants, and foreign aid funds sent for victims of the 1970 cyclone that remain unsettled.
The repatriation of over 300,000 stranded Pakistanis (mostly Biharis) who have remained in refugee camps in Bangladesh since the war.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin emphasized that resolving these issues is essential to laying a solid foundation for bilateral relations based on mutual respect and benefit. The Pakistani side, represented by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, expressed willingness to remain engaged with a positive outlook to discuss these unsettled matters in the future, although Pakistan has not issued any public apology or detailed response yet.
These talks precede the scheduled visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka on April 27-28, 2025, which will be the first such visit by a Pakistani Foreign Minister since 2012. The discussions also touched on enhancing bilateral cooperation and potentially launching direct flights between the two countries.
The 1971 conflict resulted in an estimated 3 million deaths and widespread atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, claims that Pakistan denies and has not officially acknowledged through an apology.
