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
I think the the idea of One country consisting of East Pak and West Pak is a blunder!!!! and really a stupid one, there is no such example in this world that the Part of one country is separated 1000 miles away, and a hostile enemy state b/w them,and considering the fact there is a huge difference of Culture,language, politics is also there. so at the time of partition our leaders should be wise and bold enough to create two independent states so we can avoid the the atrocities,killings of innocent people from both side,shame,disgrace that our army faces…..
I am a Bangladeshi,after 40 years of our independence when I read this blog,many water have flown through The Ganga and The Sindhu …. nice to see some comments from Pakistani people …. hope your government will realize her fault.
The seeds of Bangladesh was laid right after the Independence of Pakistan, when our forefathers declared Urdu as the National language in the then East Pakistan.
ZAB was nowhere in the scene.
Hi,
Al Badr, Alshams may be hero to some Pakistani people, but to Bangladeshi people they are just scoundrels. The thing they did was to supply general women to the voracious Pak army and to get the information of the mettlesome Freedom Fighters. Hopefully the present government is going to bring them under justice.
An appropriate post and some excellent comments.This is the sign of mature people. I know many well off families who came to Pakistan and re established them selves well till ZA Bhutto took away all including Flour Mills by ‘nationalising’ what ever they started.There was NO descrimination.Every one suffered.Our young (post 1971)generation must read about the progress we made upto 1969 and then what caused all downhill path.Do not be influenced by any politics but draw your own independent conclusions.The comments here have raised my hopes further and strengthenged my belief in our people. God bless you all.