Bangladesh demands apology from Pakistan for 1971 atrocities

Demands even Rs 36,000 crore as its share in combined Pakistan

The foreign secretary-level meeting between Pakistan’s Amina Baloch (left), Bangladesh’s Mohammad Jashim Uddin (right)

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Bangladesh has appealed to Pakistan to render an apology for atrocities against Bangladesh citizens in 1971 besides demanding its share of money.

On 17th April 2025, after 15 years, discussions were held between the external affairs secretaries of Bangladesh and Pakistan at Dhaka. Bangladesh also asked Pakistan to pay US $ 4.3 billion (Rs 36,000 crore) as its share from the combined assets at the time of when East Pakistan split from West Pakistan in 1971 to form an independent Bangladesh. Pakistan was also asked to transfer the foreign aid of about 2400 crore Taka (Bangladesh currency) sent for the victims of the 1970 cyclone.

Bangladesh also raised the issue of repatriation of more than 3 lakh Pakistani citizens staying in refugee camps in Dhaka. They are known as ‘Bihari’ in Bangladesh who are originally Urdu-speaking Muslim immigrants. They settled in East Pakistan going from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh after India’s partition in 1947. After the Bangladesh freedom battle of 1971, they showed loyalty to Pakistan; therefore, they were treated as ‘Pakistan-supporters’. Their properties were seized and they were oppressed. Millions of Muslims are staying in refugee camps since Bangladesh’s freedom and they have neither been taken by Pakistan nor have been given citizenship of Bangladesh.