Bangladesh is going to posthumously award two Pakistani politicians, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, for their contributions in supporting the 1971 Liberation War.
In total, 60 foreigners are being conferred with national honours by the president and prime minister for being “foreign friends” of the country during its independence struggle. This is a valuable way to acknowledge the international solidarity and support which Bangladesh received during 1971.
It is fitting that two major Pakistani politicians are being awarded the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” as part of this year’s ceremony. For politicians from the then West Pakistan, it would have been a highly brave move to support Bangladesh while their Pakistan-based supporters were subject to strict military censorship and propaganda, labeling such actions as treasonous.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan had been a famous figure in Pashtun politics for many years, having been a friend of Gandhi before Partition. His commitment to peace and autonomy made him naturally sympathetic to the rights of Bangladesh’s people.
As a leader of theNational Awami Party, Khan Abdul Wali Khan was one of the few leading politicians inside West Pakistan to protest the military junta’s brutal crackdown in 1971. His role went so far as to help a senior East Pakistani diplomat’s son escape to Afghanistan to avoid internment. In retaliation against the NAP’s protests, the party was banned during the war and experienced mass arrests of activists.
We welcome the opportunity to remember these principled individuals.
