A new report exposes Pakistan’s continued denial of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, accusing Islamabad of intensifying victims’ pain by rejecting calls for apology, reparations, and justice. From financial disputes to radical patronage, Pakistan’s stance reflects an ongoing refusal to confront war crimes that haunt South Asia’s history.
A recent report has drawn sharp attention to Pakistan’s continued denial and disregard for the victims of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, accusing Islamabad of intensifying the agony of survivors and obstructing reconciliation. The report, published by Eurasia Review and authored by political analyst Anjuman Islam, states that Pakistan remains unapologetic about one of South Asia’s worst genocides and continues to dismiss Bangladesh’s rightful demands for justice, reparations, and recognition.
The report was triggered by Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s recent visit to Dhaka — the first by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012. While Dar pledged to strengthen bilateral ties, he dismissed two of the three unresolved issues related to the 1971 Liberation War, including an official apology for the genocide, claiming they were “settled” decades ago.
Pakistan’s Denial of 1971 War Crimes
Bangladesh has consistently pressed Islamabad to address three longstanding issues: a formal apology for the genocide committed by the Pakistan Army in 1971, repatriation of stranded Pakistanis still living in refugee camps in Dhaka, and Bangladesh’s rightful share of pre-1971 undivided assets. However, during his visit, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s long-held stance of denial, insisting that the matters were resolved once in 1974 and again in the early 2000s.
According to the report, Dar’s remarks ignored the trauma of millions of genocide victims and survivors. “In a sheer disregard for victims and survivors of 1971 war crimes, Dar even went far to claim that in light of Islam, Bangladesh citizens should clean their hearts out,” the report noted. The comments, analysts say, symbolized Pakistan’s unwillingness to confront its past and instead shifted the responsibility onto the victims.
The Unresolved Wounds of Genocide
The 1971 Liberation War, which culminated in Pakistan’s surrender on December 16, 1971, left millions dead, displaced, or scarred for life. Bangladesh has maintained that Pakistan’s refusal to apologize or deliver reparations symbolizes a collective injustice that resonates across generations.
In 1972, Bangladesh identified 195 Pakistani army officers for crimes including genocide, mass rape, and killings. Yet, Islamabad never held them accountable. Instead, they were reintegrated into Pakistani society and continued to enjoy state privileges. Over the decades, Pakistan’s successive governments have defended these perpetrators, even condemning Bangladesh’s efforts to execute convicted war criminals associated with Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JeI-BD).
For example, in December 2013, Pakistan’s National Assembly condemned the execution of Abdul Qader Mollah — infamously known as the “Butcher of Mirpur.” Similarly, in 2016, when JeI-BD Chief Motiur Rahman Nizami was executed for war crimes, Pakistan’s Foreign Office outrageously declared that his “only sin was upholding the laws of Pakistan.”
Diplomatic Maneuvering and Radical Influence
The report points out that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagement with Dhaka comes after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League in August 2024. Analysts argue that Islamabad is attempting to exploit the political transition in Bangladesh while continuing to avoid historical accountability.
Even before Dar’s visit, senior operatives of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), linked to Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, publicly defended Pakistan’s actions in 1971. Their anti-India rhetoric framed Bengali victims as “Indian stooges,” effectively justifying the genocide. The report stresses that such narratives are emboldened by Pakistani state patronage, exposing collusion between state actors and radical groups.
Adding to the tensions are Dhaka’s financial claims from Islamabad, which amount to at least USD 4.32 billion — Bangladesh’s share of undivided Pakistan’s assets — along with USD 200 million in foreign aid that was originally allocated to East Pakistan after the devastating 1970 Bhola cyclone. Despite repeated demands, Pakistan has refused to address these claims.
Meanwhile, around 3,24,000 stranded Pakistanis, mostly Urdu-speaking Biharis, remain in refugee camps in Dhaka, including the notorious Geneva Camp. This stateless community, often linked to crime and radical networks, reflects yet another unresolved consequence of 1971.
Pakistan’s Persistent Strategy of Deflection
The report emphasizes that Pakistan’s current leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, continue to justify the events of 1971 under the “Two-Nation Theory,” portraying Hindus and Muslims as fundamentally irreconcilable communities. Such rhetoric not only defends past crimes but also perpetuates mistrust in South Asia.
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Bangladesh, however, remains firm on its stance. Without a formal apology, accountability for war crimes, and settlement of financial claims, relations between the two nations will remain strained. The report concludes that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, still seeks to destabilize Bangladesh by cultivating extremist networks and attempting to use its territory as a launchpad for anti-India terror operations.
A Continuing Global Shame
More than five decades since the genocide, Pakistan’s refusal to acknowledge its role has left wounds unhealed. The report characterizes this denial as “a collective global shame” and calls on the international community to press Pakistan for accountability. For Bangladesh, justice for the millions who perished in 1971 remains unfinished business, and Islamabad’s continued defiance only deepens the pain of survivors.
