The animosity that runs between Pakistan and Bangladesh is a deep-rooted one despite the civility that both maintain for the sake of keeping up the ‘brotherly relations’ facade. Pakistan on Monday summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to protest Dhaka’s charges of its complicity in atrocities during the 1971 liberation war, days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dismissed Pakistan’s criticism over the execution of two top opposition leaders.
Tension has surfaced between the two countries after Bangladesh hanged the two top opposition leaders for alleged war crimes and Pakistan voiced deep apprehension and anguish over the executions. According to the 1974 tripartite agreement the government of Bangladesh had “decided not to proceed with the trials as an act of clemency,” which Pakistan claims has been breached and is a sign that Bangladesh does not want friendly and stable foreign relations with Pakistan.
Considering that Pakistan has been on its own execution spree it seems a little hypocritical to criticize vehemently another for following in its footsteps. However, as far as the alleged war atrocities are concerned, there is yet to be a war documented in history where no brutalities were committed against a number of innocent people. The war of 1971 is no different.
Each side presents its own story and fervently guards that story till it becomes a reality. Careers have been built - in politics, media, academia and development - on a particular telling of the 1971 war. All the warring parties of 1971 remain relentlessly prejudiced in recounting the conflict. The dominant narrative is that of the victorious Bangladeshi nationalists and their Indian allies and the genocide that was committed against Bangladeshis at the hands of the Pakistan army. What is excluded from that narrative are the brutalities by their own side, committed in the name of Bengali nationalism.
Before Bangladesh decides to open the chapters of history that would better remain closed, it must do some soul searching for better of regional peace and foreign relations. The Hasina regime is almost an extension of India. The people of Bangladesh need to ask themselves if they are truly independent as they were made to believe is 1971? Pakistan has not interfered in their politics since, and enough time has passed since 1971 for Bangladesh to have forged a path to progress. It did not have an enemy bordering it and threatening it constantly, and it also did not have the problem of jihadism and terrorism creeping in from Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh is still stuck in the 1971 time warp and has no excuse for its own lack of progress.