After the meeting, NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain told journalists that they had tried to convey to the visiting delegation the public perception in Bangladesh regarding Pakistan.

He said the National Citizen Party (NCP) believes that despite the previously hostile relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh, there is now an opportunity for improvement.

However, he emphasised that the public’s perception of Pakistan must be taken into serious consideration.

“We believe that in order to enhance relations with Bangladesh—or any form of bilateral engagement—Pakistan must address the issue of 1971,” Akhtar Hossain said. “We raised this matter with them during the meeting.”

When asked whether Pakistan’s deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar made any specific remarks about the three unresolved issues from 1971—which many consider to be key obstacles to improving ties—Akhtar Hossain replied that Pakistan would provide its response on the matter.