Pakistan faces demands to apologise for 1971 genocide

Talks to ease relations with Bangladesh resume after 15 years

- ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

Bangladesh has demanded a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed against its people, as the countries resumed talks after 15 years.

Foreign ministry officials from Bangladesh’s interim government and Pakistan met in Dhaka on Thursday, as the Muhammad Yunus administration pushes to ease strained relations.

The two nations have seen a drastic improvement in bilateral relations since the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Mr Yunus, took power in Bangladesh after protests toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina last August and sent her fleeing to India. Bangladesh was once a part of Pakistan but became independent after a nine-month war with Islamabad in 1971.

Ms Hasina’s Awami League party regularly criticised Pakistan for atrocities during the nine-month war, which Dhaka won with India’s help. Bangladesh claims around 3 million people were killed and approximately 200,000 women were raped by Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan rejects these claims and has never officially apologised.