Editorial
Happy Augury
Pakistan, led by Nawaz Sharif, is doing the extra mile to make up to Bangladesh. Not only has she made a firm commitment to repatriate the 238,000 Biharis stranded in Dhaka since two and a half decades ago, her present leadership is also galvanising the whole nation behind that massive humanitarian undertaking.
In what appears to be a soulful surge of compassion, humanity and Islamic brotherhood towards less than a quarter of a million of its own people, the Nawaz Sharif government is making good on its promise in 1992 to have them settled in Pakistan.
As the first batch of 932 families pack up to leave Bangladesh in three months' time it is heartening to note that they are being made to feel so welcome in Pakistan already. In a major emotive shift from Benazir Bhutto's rather sympathetic days, the present government has set about creating a congenial atmosphere for their rehabilitation with appropriately worded appeals floated to the public for their cooperation and support in fulfilling the 'noble task'. Donations such as have been asked from Pakistanis at home and abroad are certain to help replenish the Saudi Arabia-based Rabita Al-Alam Al-Islami trust fund which stands wholeheartedly committed to the purpose.
The fact that MQM is an ally of the Sharif government has been an added advantage to the cause, but it is an act of personal boldness and conviction of the Pakistan Prime Minister that he has chosen the Punjab, his own constituency, as the habitat for the settlers. Their attempted rehabilitation in Sind in 1992 had met with local opposition.
That the combination of favourable circumstances in Pakistan has been properly grasped by Sheikh Hasina's government and is being put to use in reviving the stalled repatriation process, does her image a world of good. All this is a sign of diplomatic maturity on her part. Similarly, the Pak PM has our plaudits for his efforts to remove a thorn in our bilateral relationship. By the single stroke of a good gesture Nawaz Sharif has helped take the bilateral relations forward by a stride.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments