Dhaka-Islamabad FOC held after 15 years
Dhaka on Thursday in a meeting with Islamabad once again called for a formal apology for atrocities perpetrated by the Pakistani occupation forces during the War of Independence in 1971 and return of Bangladesh鈥檚 due share of its pre-independence assets and foreign aid.
Besides discussions on further cooperation in trade, connectivity and other areas, it also demanded repatriation of more than 3.2 lakh stranded Pakistanis living in 27 camps in 14 districts of Bangladesh since its independence.
The outstanding issues were raised in the foreign secretary-level meeting between the two countries held in Dhaka after 15 years.
Pakistan foreign secretary Amna Baloch led the Pakistan side in the meeting, which was the 6th Foreign Office Consultation between the two countries, at the State Guest House Padma, while her Bangladesh counterpart Md Jasim Uddin led the Bangladesh side.
Sharing the outcome of the meeting, Jashim Uddin said that the Pakistan side told them that they would remain engaged with Bangladesh in the outstanding issues.
鈥榃e have once again pressed for resolving the outstanding issues, including return of $4.32 billion in dues and $200 million in foreign aid given for natural disaster in Bangladesh in 1970, and iterated our demand for apology for atrocities by Pakistani forces in 1971,鈥� the Bangladesh foreign secretary stated.
He said that the Bangladesh side also asked for repatriation of 3,24,147 stranded Pakistanis living in Bangladesh camps. 鈥楾hey have already taken back 1,26,941 stranded Pakistanis since our independence,鈥� he added.
鈥榃e believe that all these outstanding issues should be resolved for taking our bilateral relations on a solid foundation,鈥� he added.
He said that both sides agreed to take forward the relations between the South Asian nations and extend cooperation in areas of trade, connectivity, defence, education, agriculture and culture, among others.
鈥榃e are trying to normalise the stalled bilateral relations in our national interest on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit,鈥� Jashim told a press briefing聽 at his Segun Bagicha office later on the day.
After the foreign secretary-level bilateral meeting,
Pakistan foreign secretary Amna Baloch called on interim government adviser Muhammad Yunus and foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain separately at their respective offices.
When approached after her meeting with the foreign adviser at the foreign ministry, she avoided making any statement on the outcome of her meetings.
She, however, said that she was happy to be in Dhaka.聽
The Foreign Office Consultation also discussed the forthcoming visit of Pakistan deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh scheduled for April 27鈥�28.
鈥榃e have formed a working group comprising officials from the Pakistan High Commission here for working out issues and making preparations for the visit of Pakistan deputy prime minister, who is also the foreign minister,鈥� Jashim said.
He said that the two countries had already launched a direct shipping route to facilitate bilateral trade and commerce and would soon resume direct flights.
The secretary also said that they had discussed revival of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) as they shared similar views in this regard.
About the issues raised by the Pakistan side, he said that they wanted to narrow the trade gap between the two countries and more engagements between business chambers of the two countries.
The last FOC between Bangladesh and Pakistan was held in 2010 in Islamabad.
Both Dhaka and Islamabad appeared keen in enhancing their bilateral relations after the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus took over last year following the fall of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising bringing an end to her 15-year autocratic regime.聽
Bangladesh on several occasions in the past urged Pakistan for a formal apology for their atrocities committed against unarmed Bangladeshis in the War of Independence.
