By Fatima Ali
The only time I saw my father cry with tears was in 1971, after the separation of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although, it was a political mess up with the connivance of India politicians’ on both sides’ self-serving agendas along with poor decision making which led to massive unwanted savagery. By taking political and strategic advantage of the emerging situation and to settle scores with Pakistan, India took complete advantage. The carnage which took place has left deep scars on the psyche of people of both nations. On one side, how would a nation deal with a situation which becomes so aggravated after a country is severed into half. How do you react amidst a storm which is there to destroy the very meaning of your existence and cohesion? Someone come into my house and threatens its sanctity, I would use any means necessary, rational or irrational to protect the inviolability of my home. The rage and a sense of revenge would make me do crazy things. I am not an advocate for anyone, I just feel pain about the events that happened which could have been forestalled amicably.
The loathing against Pakistan has once again augmented after the reelected government of Awami-League (AL). Especially, after the statement given by interior Minister of Pakistan against controversial sentencing to death and life imprisonment to so called war criminals by politically backed international Crimes Tribunal – Bangladesh (ICT-BD). The abominated judicial process with constitutional and judicial rights violations process which was targeted against particular individuals has been openly criticized in internal print and social media along with domestic political/ human rights agitation. The whole activity seems to be fragmented to target members of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) who are in coalition with opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP). Protests by Ganajagaran Mancha movement with government backing along with Hindu ad secular forces support continues to demand to severe diplomatic and economic ties with Pakistan, expel all Pakistani diplomats while continues to accuse Pakistani government for hatching conspiracies against Bangladesh. It has not been highlighted that what would Pakistan gain by carrying this agenda in the backdrop of its own grave domestic and external security issues. At the governmental level similar tone is adopted regularly to accuse Pakistan for meddling in internal affairs of Bangladesh and persistence prevail by demanding to punish those involved in war crimes. The recent execution of BNP leader Saladuddin Quader Chowdhury and JI Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid through a politically motivated legal process which has been largely questioned domestically and abroad. Reciprocally, Pakistan can also question the involvement and role Mukti Bani along with other Indian backed militia groups for atrocities committed against Pakistani nationals and Army personnel in 1971. A forward looking approach should be adopted according to Bangladesh-India-Pakistan formal agreement of 1974.
Is it a political stint to malign Pakistan with the support of external forces to subside and neutralize political turmoil faced by the government while gaining sympathy from international community or a general feeling of revenge to reawake ghosts of the past? Recently, huge opposition was faced by Bangladeshi government domestically and internationally due to blasphemous remarks given by a sitting AL minister Mr. Abdul Latif Siddique during his visit to USA when he stated that “performance of Hajj is a massive waste of manpower and it was introduced by Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) earn income and gather the followers”. The gentleman further criticized the gathering of Tablighi jamaat by stating that this congregation is nothing else other then a mean to create traffic problems. Realizing the sensitivity of the situation Siddique was relieved of his portfolio by the government but still holds his seat in the parliament. Reportedly, he is currently hiding in India. Repeatedly, Pakistani based religious extremists groups and political parties have been accused by AL politicians of having negative links with Bangladeshi political parties without presenting any substantial evidence. Bangladeshi political government with a Muslim majority vote cannot afford to invoke anti-religious sentiments through these un-thoughtful derogatory remarks by its politicians.
While Bangladesh government’s needs to reevaluate its wretched stance, Pakistan also needs to reiterate its confidence building measures based on mutual trust to find a way forward in order to eradicate misperceptions of the past. Pakistan has always accepted Bangladesh as an independent, sovereign and a brotherly Muslim country. As the cooperation between the two countries continue to grow at various regional and international forums through diplomatic cooperation, many arenas can also be further explored in the field of industrial development, trade, culture, social sector and even defense to strengthen the ties and achieve mutually beneficial future and lasting peace for both counties.
