The then ruling class of Pakistan had failed to stop the rise of Bangladesh in 1971 in the name of maintaining the integrity of the state. Just 24 years after the formation of an independent state, Pakistan broke up in a bloody war.
Fifty years later, how is that history being torn apart in present day Pakistan? How is the isolated independent Bangladesh seen there?
A number of well-known observers and analysts of Pakistani society and politics shared their idea.
The reason given for the defeat in the war in 1971 is that Pakistan’s military and political leadership has long been trying to swallow the people of the country – their country has fallen victim to the Indian conspiracy. Attempts have been made to suppress the killing and torture of Bengalis as much as possible.
Fifty years later, has there been any change in the government’s interpretation?
Karachi Institute of Historical Research and Social Research Director. Syed Zafar Ahmed thinks that the official interpretation of Pakistan in 1971 has not changed much in the last 50 years.
“Unfortunately, that has not changed. At the official level, we do not yet see an objective analysis of that history,” he told BBC Bangla. Ahmed.
“Everyone knows that leaving a part of the country was a tragedy, a failure, but they did not get any real explanation as to why it happened. People only heard that India was behind it and the Awami League betrayed India.”
The beginning of the secession of East Pakistan
He said there was not much talk about it for a long time after the war. There is still no such history in the school syllabus. “There are some isolated conversations, some questions. But that’s it.”
Dr. Ahmed, who taught politics and history at Karachi University for almost 20 years, said India had a role to play in 1971, but the main reason was the failure of successive governments in Pakistan which had intensified the attitude of discrimination and deprivation among Bengalis.
“Bengalis were the majority population of Pakistan. At the time of partition in 1947, Bengal was the only region of Pakistan where the Muslim League was in power. Group interests were the main consideration there. “
“It took nine years to draft the constitution of Pakistan. As a result, it took a long time to create the legal and institutional framework to eradicate discrimination. Then military rule was imposed in 1958. I think that’s when East Pakistan began to disintegrate.”
Pakistan’s defense in the role of India
Dr. Ahmed felt that the situation was slowly getting out of hand as the political “creativity” in resolving internal disputes was not among the Pakistani rulers. “There was a great lack of creativity between the political and military leadership in resolving the dispute. The results of the 1970 election should have been accepted. Bhutto did not agree. It was a disastrous decision.”
“I think India’s role in 1971 defended the then rulers of Pakistan. They got at least an opportunity to explain to the people.”
However, Dr. Ahmed said that even though they have not heard anything from the government or read anything in school-college books, many of the present generation are trying to know the true history through digital media. “In my 26 years of teaching life, I have met many young people. I have seen that interest.”
The screen is moving
Retired Pakistan Army officer and former head of Pakistan Army Intelligence (ISI) Lt. J. (Retired) Asad Durrani told BBC Bangla that although there has been no confession from government agencies in the last 50 years, the people of Pakistan now understand a lot about what went wrong.
“There is no doubt in the minds of the people now that there was a mistake. The army made a mistake. After the election (1970 election) Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto made a mistake by not accepting the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Now this feeling has reached the level of common people.”
General Durrani said there was no doubt that India took advantage of the situation. “If there is a problem inside the house, the enemy will take the opportunity. No wonder.”
However, General Durrani said that there is still no public talk about 1971 in Pakistan. “When December comes, some people talk and write. It doesn’t happen because a lot more has happened in Pakistan in the last 50 years.”
Nasim Zehra, a senior journalist in Pakistan, said that the general public may not care about 1971, but those who think, speak and write about the country and society now know that the management of East Pakistan was wrong.
“Like so many other issues, 1971 is a time of self-criticism and self-realization. There is no doubt that India played a role, but people also have regrets about the consequences of their mistakes.”
Consequences of the creation of Bangladesh
What happened to Pakistan when the country collapsed in 1971? Has Pakistan become weak?
In Pakistan, however, there is a belief in some quarters that it is almost impossible to keep intact the thousands of miles away in a part of the country bordering India where there are so many differences of language and culture with the people. Many in Pakistan also feel that the post-71 Pakistan political-economic management and its defense has become easier.
However, General Asad Durrani does not accept these arguments. He thinks that Pakistan as a state has suffered a lot as a result of 1971.
“Everywhere you look today, the tide of protectionist sentiment is flowing. The first thing that comes to mind is that the loss of East Pakistan is fatal. Many people claim thousands of miles away. And with the right strategy, the country could be kept intact. “
“A lot of people from inside India said in the 1880s, ‘What’s the use of us doing Bangladesh? That one front is still there.
‘Pakistan’s democratic culture has been damaged’
Dr. Zafar Ahmed thinks that the economic loss of Pakistan is not so much as the departure of East Pakistan, but the loss of politics has been a lot.
The Bengali middle class in East Pakistan was much more active in democratic politics than the West. On the other hand, most of the West was controlled by landlords and tribal leaders.
“There is no doubt that Pakistan’s democratic structure and democratic culture have been severely damaged. Pakistan has been under military rule for 19 years since 1971.”
Former ISI chief General Durrani believes that a relationship of trust and co-operation with Bangladesh could have been built, in his words, “much of the damage done to Pakistan in 1971 could have been compensated.”
However, he said that despite the efforts of Pakistan for closer ties with Bangladesh for the last 18 years, little progress has been made.
Pakistan wants Bangladesh closer
Apart from General Durrani, the other three observers have made almost identical statements to BBC Bangla – Pakistan is interested in closer ties with Bangladesh, but there is little response from Bangladesh.
Journalist Nasim Zehra said that especially for the last one year, Imran Khan’s government has been trying to strengthen relations with Bangladesh.
“In the interest of the people, Pakistan is now keen to build economic relations with the countries of the region. Bangladesh is being given special attention as it shares the same history and culture. Pakistan is now waiting for the response from the other side (Bangladesh),” he said.
Former Pakistani minister, former senator and writer Javed Jabbar told BBC Bangla that although there was no openness in the media, there were many “good wishes” for Bangladesh and its people among the common people of Pakistan.
“I regularly meet and talk to a lot of people in the field of teaching and philanthropy. The younger generation in particular is now becoming very interested in relations with Bangladesh. They are sorry for what happened in 1971.”
Cricket is the only communication
But Mr Jabbar said there was still a “deep void” between the two countries.
“There is not much communication in any field other than cricket – call it people-to-people communication, say it in politics or say it in economics … It is sad but true that Bangladesh is not as interested as Pakistan in this.”
War crimes trial
Bangladesh demands an unconditional apology from Pakistan for the 1971 killings before good relations can be established. This demand has been strengthened during the rule of Awami League. At the same time, Bangladesh demanded that Pakistani soldiers involved in the 1971 killings be brought to justice.
Pakistan is silent on this demand. Rather, relations between the two countries have cooled further after criticism of Pakistan over the execution of several Jamaat leaders in a war crimes trial.
General Pervez Musharraf, the only Pakistani to date, visited Dhaka in July 2002 during his tenure and expressed regret, though he did not apologize for 1971.
“Your brothers and sisters in Pakistan are sympathetic to the tragedy of ’71. They are sorry for the tragic events that took place during that tragic event. Let us forget the past with generosity. I don’t want to go out. “
Bangladesh thinks such an apology is not enough, Pakistan should formally seek an unconditional apology.
Apologizing or not apologizing
The ruling class of Pakistan has objected to such an apology. They consider such an apology to be a disgrace. At the same time, many in Pakistan argue that a large number of non-Bengalis were killed in 1971 for which Bangladesh should also apologize.
Former Minister Javed Jabbar said, “A lot of non-Bengalis have been killed since March 1, 1971, when the Pakistani army was unable to consolidate its position. There is evidence of such killings.
General Durrani thinks that ‘ego’ is working between the leaders of the two countries, but he does not believe that this ego will ever go away.
“Asking for forgiveness does not heal all wounds. Still, I think it is not impossible to apologize at once,” he said.
“If the Berlin Wall could fall, if the Soviets could leave Afghanistan, Pakistan could one day apologize. The question is, when will that happen? “
Apologies are rare
Dr. Zafar Ahmed also feels that the Pakistani ruling class and Sheikh Hasina are “trapped in their own narrative” when it comes to apologizing. According to him, if the relations between the two countries are closer, it will be easier to apologize if the people-to-people contact increases.
Former Minister Javed Jabbar said Bangladesh and Pakistan should resolve complex and sensitive issues at different levels – openly and at the same time through behind-the-scenes talks. “Then it will be easier to apologize.
“Look at the rare apology after the war. Has the US apologized for dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima-Nagasaki? Has India ever apologized for Kashmir? Has Israel apologized for deporting the Palestinians? Why should Pakistan be an exception? That’s not impossible either. ” Jabbar said.
