NOVANEWS
By Sajjad Shaukat
Basically, prosperity of a Third World country depends upon foreign investment which needs
political stability in that country in the modern era of economic development. On the other side,
political instability which creates uncertainty in a less developed country, is not conducive for
external businessmen.
In these terms, the case of Bangladesh is of special consideration, where several people have
so far been killed in the bloodshed due to dictatorial steps, taken by country’s Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina Wajid in connection with the elections 2014, held on January 5.
In this regard, head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Begum Khaleda Zia who
was leading the alliance of the 21 opposition parties was placed under virtual house arrest on
December 17, last year.
Earlier, to keep her in power, Prime Minister Hasina amended the constitution for the holding
of elections under a non-party set up and the opposition has accused her for manipulating the
electoral process to establish a one party state. The opposition alliance led by Khaleda Zia did
not file nominations for the polls, sticking to their stance of boycotting the elections over the
failure of Hasina Wajid to form a neutral interim government. The country’s largest religious
party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was also banned from taking part in the elections, while to address
old grievances of her party, Awami League (AL), Prime Minister Hasina who was in connivance
with the judiciary, hurriedly executed her political opponent, Abdul Qadir Mullah-leader of Jl.
In fact, since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came into power, India has been employing various
tactics to entrap Bangladesh by exploiting her pro-Indian tilt to fulfill its strategic interests. In
this context, Prime Minister Hasina has been pursuing Indian directions by conducting anti-
Pakistan campaign. Therefore, after passing of 42 years to the events of 1971, which resulted
into the separation of East Pakistan, Abdul Qadir was hanged because of his loyalty with
However, due to pro-Indian policies, the government led by Awami League has brought about
political instability, social strife and financial problems of grave nature in Bangladesh. Owing to
incompetence and flawed policies, its leader Prime Minister Hasina Wajid has totally failed in
resolving the problems of the impoverished masses. Therefore, present scenario in Bangladesh
presents poor governance, while the government is generally known as an Indian puppet.
As she follows the instructions of New Delhi at the cost of Pakistan and people of her own
country by playing wicked tactics of revulsion, division and discord, thus, she has created an
atmosphere of hatred, vengeance and conflict which has culminated in violent protests and
clashes in Bangladesh.
Analysts warn that obsessed with strong motives of revenge and political expediency, Prime
Minister Hasina Wajid’s unilateral steps against the rival political parties will spark more unrest
and uncertainty after the bloodiest year in Bangladesh’s short and troubled history.
While, Bangladesh is rapidly moving towards chaos, hence, Pakistani investors in that country
are in state of fear because Ms. Hasina Wajid and the workers her party have especially been
targeting them in one way or the other.
It is mentionable that Pakistani businessmen motivated by business interests and driven by their
deeply entrenched longings to revive old relations with Bangladeshi brethren, decided to invest
their capital in Bangladesh. According to the media reports, more than ten thousand Pakistanis
invested billions of dollars in Bangladesh. It was a matter of satisfaction for all Pakistanis who
always wish that country to flourish in economic field and acquire socio-political stability.
Pakistani capital invested in Bangladesh, certainly contributed positively in strengthening
economy of that country.
Unfortunately, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hasina Wajid, politics in Bangladesh
created an anti-Pakistan environment. This was mainly aimed at appeasing India and finding a
cover up for drastically failing to ensure good governance to address socio-economic problems
of public at home. As the elections were fast approaching in Bangladesh, the nervousness of
Awani League government was growing upward, fearing that their candidates would be rejected
by voters. Therefore, they found it convenient to follow Indian fundamentalist opposition
party, BJP model in making Pakistan a scapegoat of the election campaign by launching false
propaganda against the latter. In this context, Bangladesh government’s decision to hastily
execute death penalty of Abdul Qadir Mullah was also meant to appease their Indian mentors
who advised Awami league’s leadership to accelerate an anti-Pakistan election campaign, if they
wished to win elections.
Such an impulsive scheme has not only created socio-political turmoil in Bangladesh besides
sending ugly messages to Islamabad, but has also created a state of constant uncertainty and
frightening situation for Pakistani investors who are also considered as out-groups in that country
with a stigma of representing Pakistan as a rival state. Most of these Pakistani investors have
already decided to return to Pakistan along with their capital. Perhaps, they have already reaped
the fruits of business windfall in Bangladesh and are now willing to invest in their own country.
Nevertheless, presently, Pakistani investors in Bangladesh are faced with a constant state of
uncertainty, fearing irreversible setback to their business due to revengeful politics of Awami
League rulers who are openly asserting that Pakistan is a state having an image of a foe.
In this respect, economists would better understand how much loss the economy of Bangladesh
would suffer as Pakistani investors are likely to withdraw their capital amount, invested in that
On the other side, Pakistani businessmen prefer to invest their capital in their own country,
because there is a new chance to be availed as EU markets have recently agreed to offer
economic concessions to Pakistani products in the form of Generalized Scheme of Preference
(GSP Plus). Hence, there would be no need for Pakistani investors to keep their investment
abroad, especially in Bangladesh where they do not feel safe and secure.
It is notable that Ms. Hasina had directed her staff to close the chapter of water and border
conflicts with India. Besides, she has given transit trade facilities to Bharat—a move which has
been resisted by the Bangladeshi patriots for the past several decades. In this context, a writer has
rightly said, “Hasina Wajid again started Honey Moon Period of relationship with India.”
But, by ignoring public protests and strikes by students and Islamic parties due to pro-Indian
tilt, P.M. Hasina Wajid has given secular orientation to the country by purging the society
from religious touch. She has issued instructions for the removal of some Islamic books from
academic courses.
In this connection, a survey conducted by a local agency pointed out that 98% Bangladeshis are
not ready to leave Islamic culture. They also hate undue interference of India in Bangladesh’s
affairs. They are quite aware that, New Delhi wants to make Bangladesh its colony. In the recent
past, RAW conducted a number of subversive activities in Bangladesh like bomb blasts.
As regards violent demonstrations in Bangladesh , Pakistan’s Foreign Office recently said
in a statement that Qadir Mullah’s execution was internal matter of Bangladesh which “is
our neighbouring Islamic country…Bangladesh should avoid blame game and try to further
strengthen relations with Pakistan.” But by neglecting Islamabad’s positive approach,
Bangladesh government has continued its anti-Pakistan approach to please India. It could be
judged from the statement of Prime Minister Hasina Wajid who vocally stated, “Bangladesh has
no room for the people loving Pakistan.”
Especially, RAW assisted Ms. Hasina Wajid in coming to power. It engineered a judicial coup
which allowed the Awami League to win 14 million voters of the opponent parties which were
disenfranchised. Now, under the cover of so-called democracy, she has implemented various
rude methods to manipulate the elections so as to establish autocratic regime—without bothering
about the country which is likely face dire consequences like more instability, disorder and
particularly civil war.
This is the right hour that instead of appeasing India by advancing ugly confrontation with
Islamabad and at the cost of her own people who are already facing acute poverty, Bangladesh
Prime Minister Hasina Wajid must pay greater attention on the economic factor to pull the
country out of the mess. Otherwise, uncertainty in Bangladesh is frightening all the foreign
investors, especially those of Pakistan, who are likely to return to their native country where they
will have better opportunity of investment.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
