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Bangladesh is preparing to formally raise its demand for $4.52 billion in financial claims from Pakistan, comprising its fair share of undivided Pakistan's pre-1971 assets, including aid money, provident funds, and savings instruments.
The issue will be formally raised during the foreign secretary-level talks slated for 17 April in Dhaka, the first such meeting between the two countries in 15 years.
According to foreign ministry officials, one of the most significant claims involves $200 million in foreign aid sent to then-East Pakistan after the devastating 1970 Bhola cyclone.
The amount, deposited with the Dhaka branch of the State Bank of Pakistan, was shifted during the Liberation War to the bank's Lahore branch, officials said.
Similarly, many Bangladeshi government employees who had been stationed in West Pakistan returned home after independence, only to find that the provident fund balances and savings instruments they had accrued were never refunded by Pakistan.
These, too, are part of the broader $4.52 billion claim.
The foreign ministry has compiled detailed evidence from the Bangladesh Bank to substantiate its case, identifying the various components of the outstanding amount.
The issue is also expected to be raised during the foreign minister-level talks between the two countries taking place in Dhaka later this month.
On 27 March, the foreign ministry sent a letter to the Bangladesh Bank governor and the Finance Division secretary, requesting the urgent submission of any remaining documentation relevant to the claim.
A copy of the letter has been obtained by The Business Standard.
www.tbsnews.net
The issue will be formally raised during the foreign secretary-level talks slated for 17 April in Dhaka, the first such meeting between the two countries in 15 years.
According to foreign ministry officials, one of the most significant claims involves $200 million in foreign aid sent to then-East Pakistan after the devastating 1970 Bhola cyclone.
The amount, deposited with the Dhaka branch of the State Bank of Pakistan, was shifted during the Liberation War to the bank's Lahore branch, officials said.
Similarly, many Bangladeshi government employees who had been stationed in West Pakistan returned home after independence, only to find that the provident fund balances and savings instruments they had accrued were never refunded by Pakistan.
These, too, are part of the broader $4.52 billion claim.
The foreign ministry has compiled detailed evidence from the Bangladesh Bank to substantiate its case, identifying the various components of the outstanding amount.
The issue is also expected to be raised during the foreign minister-level talks between the two countries taking place in Dhaka later this month.
On 27 March, the foreign ministry sent a letter to the Bangladesh Bank governor and the Finance Division secretary, requesting the urgent submission of any remaining documentation relevant to the claim.
A copy of the letter has been obtained by The Business Standard.
Govt prepares to reclaim $4.52b pre-independence assets from Pakistan
$200m foreign aid sent to East Pakistan after 1970 Bhola cyclone was diverted to Lahore during Liberation War
