Can Pakistan Win Bangladesh’s Trust Without Apologizing for the Genocide of 1971?

[Muji.Iqbal]

I read these comments with great interest. Should Pakistan apologize or not apologize? Does it matter in 2026? Bangladesh and Pakistan had good working relations in the past without any apology.

It was only when Hasina used 1971 as a political weapon against her opponents in the form of war crime trials. It was murder by the judiciary. Hasina used 1971 to break off relations with Pakistan, all to please India. But that's a different issue.

In the end, it's history that will settle the score. Facts are facts. Pakistan behaved poorly in East Pakistan and paid the price.

Yes, We know West Pakistan messed up. By not accepting Sheikh Mujibur Rehman's mandate. That we can apologize for that. But for rape and genocide we need evidence for that, in order to apolgize for that too. If both those allegations are true, then we should apologize for that as well.

Had East Pakistan remained with West Pakistan, I would not have minded a Bengali Prime Minister.

 

[Muji.Iqbal]

I think both nations would benefit if both nations can admit their own faults, offer apology and move on. Bangladesh should apologize for Agartala Conspiracy, then Mukti Bahini seeking help from the enemy and then slaughtering West Pakistanis and Biharis, And in response, Pakistan should apologize for any excess that was committed during military operation to restore order in the Eastern territory and stopping the bloodshed.

If both parties agree to this, only then we can have a proper apology ceremony, otherwise, asking one party to apologize is meaningless.

Yes both Pakistan and Bangladesh should apologize to each other. But I blame ourselves more for the 1971 loss.

 

[studsmart]

I do not know if rape happened. But if it did, with credible evidence, then we should apologize for that.

Bring the proof for rape of Bangladeshi women done by Pakistani military. Otherwise you are lying or someone else pretending to be Bangladeshi.

But hey, most of us were born after 1971. Why should the future generations apologize for the mistakes and injustices of the previous generations?

I never said the Pakistani military committed rape. I could not find proof of it, but mass rape did happen. There is nothing wrong with apologizing to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Atrocities were committed while the entire West Pakistani political map remained silent. A wrong is a wrong, no matter what the colors are. Take a higher moral ground. It will pay dividends in the long term. Some of the so-called rape victims were paid persons and later admitted as such. It is pretty murky. Can't trust one piece of evidence over another. But just imagine a population density in then East Pakistan. These things are bound to happen and could be blamed on the Pakistani government. Very easy. Nevertheless, close this chapter once and for all and move on as a nation. Just think about it. A close strategic partner, Bangladesh, is better than anything else in South Asia.

 

[studsmart]

Totally agreed. A willingness to acknowledge past wrongdoings is the first step toward building a lasting relationship based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The founding father of Bangladesh, the former elected leader of Pakistan, and one of the most influential Bengalis in history, Mujibur Rahman, believed in this principle. That is why, after Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent nation, he welcomed Bhutto to independent Bangladesh for diplomatic talks and to begin the process of normalizing relations between the two countries.

Both the original wings fought for independence together along with all muslims of South Asia. Lets burry the past, forgive and forget, move on as trusted strategic partners.

 

[Muji.Iqbal]

I never said the Pakistani military committed rape. I could not find proof of it, but mass rape did happen. There is nothing wrong with apologizing to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Atrocities were committed while the entire West Pakistani political map remained silent. A wrong is a wrong, no matter what the colors are. Take a higher moral ground. It will pay dividends in the long term. Some of the so-called rape victims were paid persons and later admitted as such. It is pretty murky. Can't trust one piece of evidence over another. But just imagine a population density in then East Pakistan. These things are bound to happen and could be blamed on the Pakistani government. Very easy. Nevertheless, close this chapter once and for all and move on as a nation. Just think about it. A close strategic partner, Bangladesh, is better than anything else in South Asia.

Seriously shut up. I will not apologize for rape, unless you have evidence for it.

No evidence, no apology.

Yes I will apologize for Sheikh Mujibur Rehman for not being given his mandate of Prime Minister. That was clearly our fault.

 

[Muji.Iqbal]

I never said the Pakistani military committed rape. I could not find proof of it, but mass rape did happen. There is nothing wrong with apologizing to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Atrocities were committed while the entire West Pakistani political map remained silent. A wrong is a wrong, no matter what the colors are. Take a higher moral ground. It will pay dividends in the long term. Some of the so-called rape victims were paid persons and later admitted as such. It is pretty murky. Can't trust one piece of evidence over another. But just imagine a population density in then East Pakistan. These things are bound to happen and could be blamed on the Pakistani government. Very easy. Nevertheless, close this chapter once and for all and move on as a nation. Just think about it. A close strategic partner, Bangladesh, is better than anything else in South Asia.

You are contradicting yourself. At first you said Pakistani military did not commit rape, but then you said mass rape happened? By who? The Japanese army?

Come on!