Unfortunately. both India and Bangladesh have also agreed in a formal declaration issued last April. that release of these prisoners could be considered only if agreement is reached simultaneously on the repatriation of "Pakistanis in Bangladesh." This attempt to link release of the Pakistani prisoners with a mass transfer of Biharis from Bangladesh will probably only complicate a difficult situation and prolong the deadlock. Pakistan has said that she remains willing to discuss all issues with India. including the future of the Biharis. but that she cannot accept "dictated" conditions. Pakistan may not have much leverage to bargain. but she can hardly expect to accept unconditionally the consequences of the mass emigration which both India and Bangladesh seem to expect. Major pawns in this unhappy situation include. quite obviously. the 93.000 prisoners. Whatever may be the reason for the failure of: meaningful negotiations. these men. n imy opinioli. should be allowed to return promptly to their homes. It would be a further tragedy if the Biharis community in Bangladesh should also become Pawns. There are an estimated 260.000 Biharis in Bangladesh. The Biharis. it should be noted. have been living in what is now Bangladesh but what was formerly East Pakistan. since 1947. when they emigrated from. the State of Bihar in India. During the events which led to the conflict preceding the establishment of Bangladesh the Biharis supported the efforts of the Pakistan Government. For that reason. they have had an extremely rough time in Bangladesh.
Keywords matched
emigration emigrated