In Pakistan-Bangladesh equation, there is only one negative element – disturbed past. Though, state to state relations should not freeze in time. Decades have past and future is awaiting with ample opportunities for both sides to cooperate and progress. The relations between the duo have mostly been cold and little effort was shown by either side for rapprochement.
However, last year in July, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an audacious move, called his counter-part in Dhaka. The call was termed by many as an ice-breaker and an indication for a change of perspective, at least from Islamabad side, to engage and cooperate rather than compete. Interestingly, Dhaka also reciprocated in positive and is willing to work with Islamabad in the areas of mutual interest.
Later, on August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day, the country’s High Commissioner in Dhaka, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, applauded the role that Bengalis played in the creation of Pakistan, back in 1947. The thaw was heralded by Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui saying that Islamabad was now actively working on moving forward with Dhaka.
While August is typically an annual reminder of what binds India and Pakistan together, this year provided a rare opportunity for Islamabad and Dhaka to ponder over their own fractured past. Not to forget that Islamabad and Dhaka’s embrace comes at a time when relations between Modi led Hindutva India and many countries in the region are unraveling.
The reassuring factor in the whole scenario is that Pakistanis and Bengalis have not nurtured hate feelings towards each other. Yes, there are problems but that largely fall under the domain of state to state affairs. However, there definitely has been a dis-connect. More people to people contacts could bring two countries closer and let both sides work on common grounds.
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) – an Islamabad based independent think-tank is probably the first one to make such a move – a Pakistan-Bangladesh webinar series to discuss challenges and opportunities regarding bilateral relations. Experts from different walks of life from both sides come together and ponder over carving out a constructive future together.
Not to forget that CRSS has already been leading Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/II dialogue since 2015, and after years of efforts, finally incredible progress can be seen regarding bilateral relations. So, perhaps, now is the time to also engage with Dhaka, as well.
In one of such webinars by CRSS, Dr. Moonis Ahmar from University of Karachi, stated that a flexible visa regime can help in enhancing people to people relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. People of both the countries have enormous opportunities to mend economic, political and cultural relations. According to him, efforts should be made to promote academic cooperation between the educational institutes of both countries. This cannot be done unless there are leaders from both sides who are able to promote meaningful interaction between students from Pakistan and Bangladesh. He also proposed the truth and reconciliation commission which can help overcome the bitterness of the past and also help in sanitizing the historical literature on the events around 1971.
In contrast, Former Bangladeshi Ambassador Nasim Firdaus pronounced that the first step in building the relationship between the two countries is to recognize the happenings of the past. She considered Pakistan’s apology to Bangladesh about the events of 1971 significant because the general public is in the dark and it is essential to give them an understanding of those events.
Adding to the Ambassador’s comments, Dr. Sharin Shajahan Naomi from Asian University for Women, Bangladesh, expressed that there is a huge gap in the economic relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. She suggested that a trade agreement could be a strong starting point to form good relations on a higher level and Bangladesh would be welcoming towards this stance since it wants good relations with all its neighbors including China, Pakistan and India.
Moreover, Barrister M. Sarwar Hossain of Lincoln’s Inn. was of the view that in the subcontinent, no country can develop individually, the whole region has to develop economically as economic viability will ensure security. Public opinion is one of the most important foreign policy determinants. Therefore, regardless of reciprocity by the government of Bangladesh, Pakistan should continue doing its bits and if the citizens of Bangladesh will see the benefits of the policies of Pakistan, they themselves will mobilize support in favor of Pakistan and pressurize their government into taking reciprocal steps. He further added that Bangladesh understands the failures of its foreign policy and is working to open up to other countries to have good relations. In this regard he commended Pakistan’s efforts in lifting visa restrictions.
In conclusion, Pakistan had played its move and is willing to cultivate comprehensive relationship for the good of both nations. Now, it is up to Dhaka how well its reciprocates in actions and also to neutralize Indian factor in nurturing its relations with Islamabad.
The author Saddam Hussein is a Research Economist at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad. Hussein writes regularly for national and international print media, frequently appears on TV for expert analysis and conducts training workshops on a wide range of thematic areas. He tweets @saddameconomist
