Pakistan’s formal apology for 1971 Liberation War genocide discussed

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Thursday held a foreign secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Dhaka after a gap of nearly 15 years.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch led their respective sides during the FOC held at the State Guest House Padma in the capital in the morning.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the entire range of bilateral issues focusing on trade tie between the two nations.

A formal apology for the 1971 Liberation War genocide and settling outstanding financial claims of Bangladesh were discussed.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said this at a press briefing after the foreign office consultation (FOC).

“We have raised the historically unresolved issues with Pakistan,” he said.

 “We (Dhaka said this is the right time to settle the historical unsettled issues,” the Bangladesh foreign secretary said adding these issues were needed to be resolved for having a “solid foundation of our relations" for mutual benefits and interests.

This was the first foreign secretary level Dhaka-Islamabad FOC in 15 years and after the talks the visiting Pakistani foreign secretary called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain separately and discussed issues of mutual interests.