Pak MPs to propose for apology to Dhaka

A number of Pakistani lawmakers including from the ruling party are set to seek a parliamentary resolution apologising to Bangladesh for the 1971 atrocities by its troops, famous Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has said.
"At least 12 members of the Pakistan parliament assured me of tabling a proposal to apologise to Bangladesh officially," Hamid, executive editor of popular Pakistani television channel Geo TV, told the news agency in an email interview.
Also an acclaimed rights activist, Hamid said, "People [MPs] like senator Hasil Bazinju from Baluchistan, President of Pakistan's Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan MP, former federal minister and leader of Muslim League [Nawaz] Khwaja Sad Rafique, Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Nausheen Saeed, and Pakistan People's Party leader Samsam Bukhari were there with the initiative.”
The Pakistani MPs could not be reached immediately for comments.
Bangladesh on December 16 will celebrate its 41st anniversary of victory against Pakistan after nine months of Liberation War.
Dhaka is repeatedly asking for an official Pakistani apology for the 1971 genocides. The demand was raised again last month when Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited Dhaka.
Hamid said it was time for his country to apologise officially to the people of Bangladesh, saying, "only brave people accept their mistakes and it is the time to show some bravery. Our apology will not weaken Pakistan but will strengthen it".
Pakistan recognised Bangladesh in 1974, when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Lahore to join the OIC Summit.