Bangladesh-Pakistan

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Footprints: Chance for a fresh start​

Imran Ayub
December 16, 2024

TRADERS from the Bengali community sell seafood at the famous ‘Bengali Para’ in Moosa Colony, one of the business hubs in Karachi where the entire operation is run by immigrants from what was once ‘East Pakistan’.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star


TRADERS from the Bengali community sell seafood at the famous ‘Bengali Para’ in Moosa Colony, one of the business hubs in Karachi where the entire operation is run by immigrants from what was once ‘East Pakistan’.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star

FROM Bhashani Sweets, it takes only a few minutes to reach Bangla Bazaar, and a quick stop at Dhaka Fabrics for a ‘ghamchha’ or ‘lungi’ is followed by another brief visit to Chittagong Chemicals for any pesticide you might need.

In just half an hour, you can experience the vibrant streets of Dhaka, Chittagong, Gazipur, Khulna, Rangpur, or Narayanganj — all in the heart of Karachi. These businesses, located in Orangi Town, though well-established in their own right, share a deep-rooted connection to the personal histories of their owners.

Each story is unique, but many are marked by the haunting memories of the 1971 war — or the ‘Fall of Dhaka’ in the official Pakistani narrative — and the longing to revisit their birthplace, which they still see as a lost homeland. Many of them still carry the scars of the secession.

In the port city, countless tales trace back to the fateful events of Dec 16, 1971, when Bangladesh came into being, forcing many to migrate from what was once East Pakistan.

This year, however, as the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence approaches, a sense of cautious optimism has emerged, replacing some of the grief that has long defined this chapter of history. In August, the fall of Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s autocratic rule gave rise to a renewed sense of hope among many Pakistanis, especially those who still feel a deep, personal connection to Bangladesh and its journey.

The ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the receptive attitude of Yunus-led regime in Bangladesh provide Pakistan a golden opportunity to rekindle the relationship with Dhaka
Click to expand...

Shamim Akhtar and his family have been settled in Sector 11 ½ of Orangi Town since the mid-70s. The story of how they managed to escape with their lives and reach Pakistan in 1971 is a separate, heart-wrenching tale. Now, the only thing that has made them forget all their past sorrows is that next month, for the first time since 1987, they are going to visit their ancestral city – Khulna, the second largest port city in Bangladesh.

“I was 17 when my family and I prepared for our second migration after 1947…” he said. “In 1987, I visited Khulna with my wife, two daughters, and a son. There are still a few relatives who managed to survive the 1971 tragedy, and they are now settled there. Things began to deteriorate when Hasina Wajid came into power. Over the past 15 years, whenever we planned to visit Khulna, our relatives there advised us against it. Their only reason was, ‘Aap logo kay liye yahan halaat achaay nahin (the situation is not good for you here).’ It was all because of Sheikh Hasina’s anti-Pakistan thoughts and policies.”

Turning of the tide

Now, after more than 35 years, Mr Akhtar, accompanied by his son, is set to fly to Bangladesh for a long-awaited family reunion. It’s not just the people of Pakistan who feel this way; these sentiments are equally shared in Bangladesh.

Maruf Hasan, a young Dhaka-based journalist who has extensively covered the recent political unrest and violence that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, is witnessing it unfold firsthand. “I believe that pro-Pakistan sentiment among the people of Bangladesh has grown in recent times,” he said.

“While this sentiment has always existed among many, people were not able to express it openly before. Now, they feel more empowered to voice their feelings. Several factors contribute to this, including ethnic ties and growing influence of anti-India sentiments.”

The events following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime continue to send the same signals. In September, PM Shehbaz Sharif met the chief advisor of the Bangladesh interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and called for the opening of a “new page” in their relations to enhance cooperation in various sectors. PM Shehbaz also invited him to Pakistan, reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue.

Last month, a cargo ship from Karachi anchored at the port of Chittagong, establishing the first-ever direct maritime connection between the two nations. Many view this as a significant step towards strengthening trade relations. Pakistani traders were further pleasantly surprised when they received orders for the export of tonnes of sugar, rice, and potatoes from Bangladesh. It’s the first time in decades that Pakistan is set to export 25,000 tonnes of sugar to the riverine country.

The gesture didn’t stop there. The Consul General of Bangladesh met Pakistani traders last week, offering assurances for streamlined visa processing and also extending a formal invitation to the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), set to take place in Jan 2025.

“Things have changed 180 degrees [since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime],” said Zubair Motiwala, a prominent industrialist and Chairman of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), who recently had a one-on-one meeting with Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, S. M. Mahbubul Alam.

“It was incredibly difficult for our traders and businessmen to even secure a visa for Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s government… But with the changing landscape, we are now eager to capitalise on the emerging opportunities. The Dhaka Trade Fair could mark the beginning of this new chapter.”
 
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Hopefully, it'll get only better from now on. When I started posting in this forum back in 2015 I could never imagine it'd turn out like this. HIS PLANs work in mysterious ways....

Now the BD Muslim folks face an existential threat from Bharat. They are going back to the square one to fathom better the Two Nation Theory, Jinnah, Pakistan etc.....

Necessity is the mother of invention. Now they're reinventing the value of the Pak military industrial complex which is making great strides, especially in the asymmetric robotic warfare fields. BD folks will learn to leverage it to counter Bhatat's hegemonistic policies via proxies. They're taking only baby steps now with traitors lurking all around them. Once an elected Muslim government takes over many new surprises will be waiting for us...

*Some mods see my posts as drone attacks on them, and they delete them. You can't block the sunlight with a sieve.
 

PFC to participate in Dhaka fair​

PFC to debut at Dhaka International Trade Fair, showcasing Pakistan’s premium furniture to global markets.

Our Correspondent
December 19, 2024

Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq announced that the council will, for the first time, participate in the prestigious 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), scheduled to begin on January 1 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Chairing a board of directors meeting on Wednesday, Ashfaq stated that as one of South Asia's largest trade events, the DITF offers a unique platform for businesses to showcase their products to a global audience, fostering international trade and collaboration.

PFC's participation marks a significant milestone, as it aims to introduce Pakistan's premium furniture craftsmanship and design excellence to Bangladesh and beyond. The council plans to display a diverse range of high-quality furniture, combining traditional artistry with modern innovation, while highlighting sustainable materials and ergonomic designs, he added.

He expressed hope that the event will attract a diverse audience, including business leaders and international buyers. Through its participation, PFC seeks to expand its market footprint, establish new business linkages, and explore potential export opportunities.
 
@Hakikat ve Hikmet

Once an elected Muslim government takes over many new surprises will be waiting for us...

An elected Muslim govt where? In BD? Pakistan? Or both?

Regards
 
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