Bangladesh has officially asked Pakistan to pay $4.52 billion to settle old financial claims from before 1971. This request was made during high-level talks between the two countries’ foreign secretaries in Dhaka on April 17, 2025, which was their first meeting of this kind in 15 years.
Share of Pre-Independence Resources
Bangladesh argues it deserves part of Pakistan’s money and assets from before 1971, when they were one country. This includes:
$200 million cyclone aid:
Money sent to help East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after the deadly 1970 Bhola cyclone was moved to West Pakistan during the independence war instead of helping victims.
Unpaid worker benefits:
Government employees who returned from West Pakistan after 1971 never received their pensions and savings.
Bank funds:
Money left in Pakistani banks like Rupali Bank’s Karachi branch was never returned.
How Bangladesh Calculates Its Claim?
By population:
Bangladesh says it should get 56% of the pre-1971 assets since it had most of the people.
By economic contribution:
It claims 54% based on its share of foreign earnings before independence.
As a minimum:
Bangladesh insists it deserves at least half (50%) through basic fairness.
Renewed Diplomatic Engagement
The terms are now being discussed in Dhaka, whereby they are concerning the permanent issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Under the authority of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh abandoned its India posture and adopted a more neutral stance against Pakistan.
Bangladesh reiterated its unrelenting demand on the occasion, seeking a full apology from Pakistan for the crimes committed during the war in 1971. This would encompass military cooperation, maritime joint exercises, direct trade, and the renewal of visa services.
The talks also included the repatriation of around 324,000 stranded Pakistanis who are still camping in Bangladesh, demanding a specific time frame to send them back.
Why This Matters Now?
The claim resurfaced during April 2025 talks as Bangladesh pushes to resolve decades-old disputes. The $4.52 billion demand equals over 25% of Pakistan’s current foreign reserves ($15.75 billion), making repayment challenging. Bangladesh also renewed calls for Pakistan to apologize for wartime atrocities during the 1971 conflict.
Future Prospects
Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar will visit Dhaka on April 27–28, the first visit in over a decade. Both countries want to move past old issues and work together in areas like trade and agriculture. As Bangladesh raises its concerns from the past, this visit could open a new chapter in their relationship.