Today it has been 39 years since East Pakistan became Bangladesh. It has been longer that Bangladeshis have been politcially separate from Pakistan (39y) than they were together (24y). A new generation has grown up without seeing the time when the two countries were together. A lot of water has flown under the bridge since then and this is a good time for both countries to forgive and forget about the past. I would go as far as to say it should be okay to seek forgiveness from each other and say sorry for the war of 39 years ago. Nobody becomes smaller in stature by saying sorry except for inflated egos. It can only heal and make friends. And Pakistan needs friends.
We want to wish Bangladesh prosperity and good luck in their future.
Also see earlier posts at ATP:
2007: A Pakistani in Bangladesh
2007: Bangladesh Turns 36: Bringing Stranded Pakistanis Home
2008: History’s Ghetto: Stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh
2008: Sahabzada Yaqub Khan
2009: 1971: A Blot of Shame
2009: 1971: The Lessons We Did Not Learn
2009: 1971: The Forgotten Silence
2009: 1971: Hum kay thehray ajnabi…
2010: Remembering Lt. Gen. Azam Khan
very thoughtful post indeed Bangladeshi are our brothers i wish them all the best.
i envy them that they don’t have to endure zardari club!!
and thanks for Runa laila.
Thank you for these nice words and prayers, Pakistan.
Joi Bangla.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Thank you ATP for this heartfelt post. ATP has consitently raised this issue every year and as a Pakistani I am thankful that you do that. More of us should be saying this.
I certainly agree. Though you get different version of stories from different people, it is true that Bangladeshis went through a lot of torture. I, as a Pakistani, apologize to all my Bangladeshi brothers and sisters and hope that they give up all hostility against us.
I wish them best of luck for a prosperous future.
Couldn’t agree more. Very well said Owais. Lets start now, and as an individual, I’m sorry.