Pakistan's apology to Dhaka overdue

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Dhaka in August 2025 was characterised by cordial exchanges, positive messaging on regional cooperation, and the signing of six agreements.

- SANITYA KALIKA

But when Bangladesh renewed its demand for an apology for the horrors of 1971, Dar maintained that the matter had already been 'settled twice', seemingly alluding to the 1974 Tripartite Agreement and Parvez Musharraf's 2002 'expression of regrets'. As Bangladesh celebrates its 54th birth anniversary this week, the quintessential question of Pakistan's apology ought to resurface.

Dar's visit was a breakthrough in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations after the fall of the Hasina regime. However, his denial of apology reflects the deeper reality of Pakistan's attitude towards its past. For Bangladesh, an apology is an unfinished obligation that carries the weight of law and history, but for Pakistan, it is a door best kept closed. Yet, even if Islamabad were to say the word that Dhaka has waited for 54 years, one would question - would 'sorry' be enough?

Apologies do matter in international law. They are not mere gestures of courtesy but recognised forms of reparation when states violate international legal obligations. The UN International Law Commission's Articles on State Responsibility specify that reparation may take the form of 'satisfaction' (Article 37) - a principle the International Court of Justice confirms in its landmark judgements in the Corfu Channel case (UK v. Albania) and the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros (Hungary v. Slovakia) case - holding that acknowledgement of wrongdoing may be required to discharge state responsibility.