The evolving bonhomie between Pakistan and Bangladesh since August 2024 had indeed surprised the geopolitical landscape. Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in a violent student uprising of 2024, historical enemies of Islamabad and Dhaka had turned into much hailed strategic partners. Swift bilateral exchanges, high-profile and military-level diplomatic visits were witnessed. Series of agreements were inked pertaining to intelligence sharing, military cooperation etc.
However, the latest statement from Rawalpindi has dismantled the fanfare surrounding this new diplomatic relationship sprouting in South Asia. It has raised apprehensions of whether the publicly exhibited bonhomie between Bangladesh and Pakistan is just superficial in nature and deep disregard and enmity exists deep down, similar to the fire burning beneath the ashes!
Recently, the Pakistan military has called out Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and the kingpin behind the Bangladesh Liberation War as a ‘traitor’. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is also the father of Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister who is currently in exile. The Pakistan military also equated Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan who is imprisoned in Rawalpindi.
Deciphering this statement by the Pakistan military reveals the fact that the bonhomie exhibited between Islamabad and Dhaka is just superficial and short-term in nature to fulfill the hegemonic ambitions on both the sides. But the problem isn’t resolved from the roots and the deep scars of 1971 still remain and burn.
The same Pakistan military which is sealing a series of defence deals with Bangladesh, on the other hand is discrediting and humiliating the founding father of Bangladesh. So, this raises the question on the true agenda behind the nexus formed between Islamabad with Dhaka. Is Pakistan using Bangladesh mere as a backyard to propagate illicit terror actions against India? Is Bangladesh evolving as a brewing and fertile ground to nurture anti-India activities? Is Pakistan seeing Bangladesh through the India lens only? The latest statement by the Pakistan military regarding Sheikh Mujibur Rahman spikes these strong doubts!
Severe criticisms emerged from Dhaka for the statement of the Pakistan military. The newspaper Dhaka Tribune criticized the statement as, “To use such language in-December-our month of Victory-is an affront to our history and the sacrifices of 1971. It is also harmful to Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, especially at a time when both countries have recently made efforts to revive ties”. The month of December is observed as the victory month in Bangladesh, because it was on December 16, 1971, Pakistan surrendered to India, thus Bangladesh was born dismantling from its hitherto form of East Pakistan.
In the victory month of the most hailed and growing bilateral partner, is that how the respect is rendered to a strategic partner? The statement by Pakistan military thus reflects the fact that the relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan is just superficial and not deep-rooted which can get ruptured at any point. Because the historical fissures are well visible.
On the other side of the story, the interim government of Bangladesh under its Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus haven’t yet released any statement criticising the assertions by the Pakistan military regarding its founding father. Muhammad Yunus or his administrations haven’t uttered a word when the very existence of the country is questioned. This again raises questions on the administration’s respect towards the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh. Is the Yunus administration utilizing Pakistan mere as a tool to seek its hegemonic ambitions?
Given these developments and strategic concerns, ultimately, the people of Bangladesh should choose wisely the front-runners of their country in the national elections scheduled for February 2026.
