Statements from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have reemerged, highlighting his perspective on historical events involving Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh.
Nawaz Sharif has asserted that Sheikh Mujib was wrongfully portrayed as a traitor and was, in fact, a proponent of Pakistan.
On January 9, 2018, Sharif elaborated that Bengalis, who were instrumental in Pakistan’s creation, were unjustly marginalized, leading to the nation’s eventual split. He stressed the importance of deeply understanding the events 1971 that alienated East Pakistan, emphasizing that the region’s people were pivotal alongside Quaid-e-Azam in establishing Pakistan.
Sharif cited the Justice Hamoodur Rahman Commission, which investigated the fall of Dhaka and produced a comprehensive report. He regretted that the findings were largely ignored; adherence to them could have profoundly altered Pakistan’s trajectory.
On June 5, 2018, and again in a 2020 speech in Gujranwala, Sharif revisited these themes, critiquing the mistreatment of Sheikh Mujib and the dismissal of the electoral majority in East Pakistan. He linked these actions directly to Bangladesh’s subsequent severance and formation, suggesting a significant reconsideration of historical narratives and national actions.
