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Bangladesh–Pakistan relations

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Bangladesh–Pakistan relations
Map indicating locations of Pakistan and Bangladesh

Pakistan
Bangladesh
Diplomatic mission
High Commission of Pakistan, IslamabadHigh Commission of Bangladesh, Dhaka
Envoy
High Commissioner Syed Ahmed MaroofHigh Commissioner Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan

Bangladesh and Pakistan are both South Asian Muslim-majority countries.[1][2] Following the end of British rule in India, the two countries formed a single state for 24 years.[3] The Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 resulted in the secession of East Pakistan as the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Pakistan (formerly West Pakistan) recognized Bangladesh in 1974.[4] Today, bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan are considered to be cordial.

The two countries are both founding members of SAARC, as well as members of the Developing 8 Countries, the OIC and the Commonwealth of Nations. Both are classified as Next Eleven emerging economies. Bangladesh has a High Commission in Islamabad and Deputy High Commission in Karachi. Pakistan has a High Commission in Dhaka.

History

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Pre-partition era

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See also: Sikhism in Bangladesh § History

When the East India Company conquered Punjab in 1849, a substantial portion of its Indian staff that settled around Lahore was Bengali.[5]

Partition and liberation

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See also: Muslim nationalism in South Asia
Pakistani Military General signing the instrument of surrender in the presence of Indian and Bangladeshi military personnel, after the 1971 war.

As part of the Partition of India in 1947, Bengal was partitioned between the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The Pakistani part of Bengal was known as East Bengal until 1955 and thereafter as East Pakistan following the implementation of the One Unit program.

Bilateral relations between the two wings grew strained over the lack of official recognition for the Bengali language, democracy, regional autonomy, disparity between the two wings, ethnic discrimination, and the central government's weak and inefficient relief efforts after the 1970 Bhola cyclone, which had affected millions in East Pakistan. These grievances led to several political agitations in East Bengal and ultimately a fight for full independence. In early March 1971, 300 Biharis were slaughtered in rioting by Bengali mobs in Chittagong. The massacre was used by the Pakistan Armed Forces as a justification to launch "Operation Searchlight", which targeted intellectuals, political activists, Hindus and other minorities.[6] The number of people killed by Pakistani forces remains disputed, with estimates ranging from 300,000 to 3 million.[7][8] About 8–10 million people became refugees in India.[9] Many Bengali policemen and soldiers mutinied and nationalists formed a guerrilla force, the Mukti Bahini with Soviet and Indian support.

When the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 broke out between West Pakistan and India, the joint forces of India and Mukti Bahini (later known as the Bangladesh Armed forces) defeated Pakistani forces in East Pakistan. Subsequently, the independent state of Bangladesh was created.[10]

1974–2012: Establishment and growth of bilateral relations

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See also: Pakistan-OIC relations § OIC role in Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship

The left-oriented Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had been the main political opponent of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, came into power in the aftermath of Bangladesh's separation from Pakistan. Initially, Pakistan was not in favour of recognizing Bangladesh and urged other states to hold back their recognition until Pakistan could enter into a dialogue with Bangladeshi leadership. Bangladesh, on its part, insisted on recognition as a pre-condition for dialogue. In 1972, Pakistan left the Commonwealth after some members of the Commonwealth extended membership to Bangladesh. Pakistan also severed ties with other countries which recognized Bangladesh.[11][12]

On the issue of Bangladesh's application for membership to the UN, China, on Pakistan's request, exercised its veto power for the first time to stall the move, which helped Pakistan to secure in a bargain the release of its prisoners of war and the return of troops to their pre-war positions.[13]

In 1974, the relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan thawed. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman withdrew the bans on some pro-Pakistan organisations, that had operated before Bangladesh's independence. Mujib visited Lahore for an OIC Islamic summit, and in return, the Parliament of Pakistan authorised Bhutto to extend recognition to Bangladesh.[14] In June 1974, Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto visited Bangladesh and paid homage to Bangladesh's war memorial at Savar Upazila.[15] Both nations discussed an agreement in 1975 in which Bangladesh agreed to take up half of Pakistan's pre-1971 external reserves provided Bangladesh received half of the country's pre-1971 assets and credit went unresolved.[16]

Relations normalized quite under the governments of Ziaur Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Ershad in Bangladesh, which had grown more distant from its usual allies, like India and Russia.[16][17] Five Pakistani heads of government have made official visits to Bangladesh since the 1980s and numerous trade and cultural agreements have been signed.[18] Common concerns over terrorism have influenced strategic cooperation leading to a gift of several squadrons of F-6 fighter aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force in the late 1980s, Although, there was no serious effort to maintain them as they were later left to be destroyed by a cyclone.[18] Trade between the two countries currently stands at $340 million which was described by the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Ruhul Alam Siddique as 'negligible when taking into account the combined population' (of both countries). Areas he hoped would induce investment from Pakistan to Bangladesh included the textiles and energy sectors.[19][20]

In 1985, Pakistani President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited the Bangladeshi war memorial, and said "Your heroes are our heroes."[15] Bangladeshi President Ershad visited Islamabad in 1986.[16] In 1998, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Pakistan.[15] In July 2002, Pakistani General Pervez Musharraf also visited the war memorial and said "Your brothers and sisters in Pakistan share the pain of the events of 1971."[15]

Relationship, however suffer miserable under first term of Khaleda Zia in 1991 to 1996. As exactly 30,000 Biharis were deported from Bangladesh. During a India–Pakistan cricket match, several Biharis were killed for supporting Pakistan and Pakistani flags were burned. Khaleda Zia refused to take in Bengalis returning from Pakistan.[21]

In his history of Bangladesh, Craig Baxter gives a general assessment of the relations between both countries:

As united Pakistan, both the countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh had sought independence from India in 1947 because they were concerned about the progress and security of Muslims in a Hindu majority state. As separate countries they continue to share a community of interests in limiting the dominance of India as well as a common Islamic position.[22]

2013: War crimes tribunal

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See also: 2013 siege of the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka

In December 2013, Bangladeshi Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Islamist leader Abdul Quader Molla, dubbed the "butcher of Mirpur",[23] was executed in Bangladesh for war crimes.[24] Following the execution, the lower house National Assembly of Pakistan issued a statement condemning execution, claiming it to be politically motivated.[25] Pakistan's Interior Minister expressed sadness that Molla was executed for his "loyalty towards Pakistan".[26]

As a result of Pakistan's reactions, Bangladesh summoned the Pakistani High Commissioner, conveying its displeasure at Pakistan's interference in its internal matters.[25] Bangladesh conveyed its displeasure at the National Assembly statement, Punjab Provincial Assembly statement, as well as the remarks by Pakistan's Interior Minister.[27] Protesters in Bangladesh also took to the streets to express their displeasure by marching towards the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.[28]

2015–2016: Diplomatic rifts

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In two separate incidents, officials of the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka were alleged to be financing the terrorist activities of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh organization. Diplomatic official Mazhar Khan was charged by Bangladesh's foreign ministry of running an illegal Indian currency business in Dhaka beside alleged links with militants.[29] However, Pakistan's foreign office maintains that allegations against him are baseless and the incident is unfortunate.[30]

In December 2015, Pakistan withdrew the diplomat Farina Arshad after Bangladeshi authorities asked the diplomat to leave for reportedly having "extended financial support to a suspected militant who faces spying charges".[31] Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operative Idris Sheikh, who also holds Pakistani nationality, had claimed he had received money from her and was in contact with her for some time.[32] Pakistan has withdrawn one of its diplomats from Bangladesh after "harassment", the foreign ministry said. A formal statement from Islamabad dismissed the charges as "baseless", adding "an incessant and orchestrated media campaign was launched against her on spurious charges".[33]

In January 2016, Islamabad asked Dhaka to recall senior diplomat Moushumi Rahman from its High Commission in Islamabad within 48 hours. Diplomatic sources in Islamabad told the media that Rahman was allegedly involved in "anti-state activities in Pakistan" and that concerned security agencies continued to monitor her.[34]

2018 to present: Normalization

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Following the election of Imran Khan as Prime Minister of Pakistan, the two countries slowly began to normalise ties. Khan made a phone call to Sheikh Hasina in July 2020 following Bangladesh's foreign policy announcement of "friendship to all and malice to none", inviting her to Islamabad. Hasina later mentioned that she was interested in strengthening bilateral ties with Pakistan.[35] Following a meeting with Shahriar Alam on 7 January 2021, the Government of Pakistan removed all visa requirements for Bangladeshi citizens.[36]

There has been efforts to improve relations after the Sheikh Hasina ouster in August 2024. However, speculations went in doubt as interim government didn't indicated such desire. In October 2024, Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said that it would be easier to normalize relations if Pakistan apologises for the events of '71.[37] On 19 December 2024, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif met on the sidelines of D8 summit in Egypt, where Yunus urged Sharif to resolve the unsolved issues of 1971. Sharif asserted that main issues had been resolved though 1974 Shimla Agreement and if there were other outstanding issues, he also would have liked to overview. The two leaders also expressed their desire to extend cooperation in new areas such as the sugar industry and dengue management.[38][39]

In November 2024, for the first time since the independence of Bangladesh, a Pakistani cargo ship docked in Chittagong Port;[40] while in October the government of Bangladesh ended the practice of "mandatory 100% physical inspection" for Pakistani imports.[41]

Residency issues

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Bangladeshis in Pakistan

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Main article: Bengalis in Pakistan

There has been a presence of people from modern day Bangladesh in present-day Pakistan going back generations, even during the times of the British Raj. This continued from 1971 onwards and extended into the 1980s, when massive numbers of Bangladeshis entered Pakistan. This led to a crackdown by the government of Benazir Bhutto in the 1990s, after public resentment and complaints of crime and social unrest.[42] Today, there are about an estimated two million unregistered Bangladeshis in Pakistan.[43] There has been a small number of Bangladeshi expatriate students studying in Pakistan but that number has been on the decline mainly due to security concerns in the country.[44]

Biharis in Bangladesh

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Main article: Biharis in Bangladesh
See also: Persecution of Biharis in Bangladesh

An issue of continuing controversy is the status and return of Biharis (also called Stranded Pakistanis[a][45]) to Pakistan.[46] Numbered around 540,000, these communities had migrated to what became East Pakistan from the Indian state of Bihar after the partition of India in 1947.[16] During the Bangladesh Liberation War, these communities supported the Pakistani government and later wanted to emigrate to Pakistan, which stalled and hesitated.[16] By 1982, about 127,000 had been repatriated, leaving about 250,000 people still demanding repatriation.[16] In 1985, there was some progress in this area when Pakistani president Zia-ul-Haq agreed to accept the "stranded Pakistanis."[16] In a 2002 visit to Bangladesh, Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf signed numerous bilateral agreements but said he could not allow the emigration of Biharis to Pakistan for the time being.[46]

Defence relations

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Defence relations improved considerably under the reigns of Ziaur Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Ershad in Bangladesh, which had grown more distant from its war ally, India. Common concerns over India's regional power have influenced strategic cooperation leading to a gift of several squadrons of J-6 fighter aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force in the late 1980s.

In August 2024, the Yunus interim government ordered for a "fresh supply of artillery ammunition from Pakistan", which included 40,000 ammunition rounds, 2900 high intensity projectiles and 40 tonnes of RDX in "wax consistency".[47]

Bilateral trade

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Bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing slowly over the past years. During the eleven-year period between 2000–01 and 2010–11, Pakistan export to Bangladesh grew at an average annual rate of 27.6 percent and imports from Bangladesh grew at the rate of 9.2 percent. The total value of trade (export plus import) between the two countries in 2010-11 was about $983 million. To give a boost to bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh both countries have decided to finalise a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. FTA will pave the way for opening trade opportunity and will help expansion of trade between the two countries.[48] In November 2024, a cargo ship sailed directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh for the first time in decades.[49]

[50][51] Major Bangladeshi exports to Pakistan include textiles, agricultural products, leather footwear and other leather products.[50] In fiscal 2022-23, Bangladesh's imports exceeded $68 billion, of which goods imported from Pakistan amounted to $699 million. Exports to Pakistan were around $74 million during the period. Most of the imported goods consist of raw materials for the garment industry.

According to the Pakistan Business Council, in addition to cotton, the list of goods imported by Bangladesh from Pakistan includes salt, sulphur, earths and stones, plastering materials, lime, edible vegetables, raw hides and skins, machinery, inorganic chemicals, man-made staple fibres, plastics, tanning or dyeing extracts, and edible fruits and nuts.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Although Biharis are commonly referred to as "stranded Pakistanis", their origin is mainly in Bihar, today a state in India

References

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  1. ^ "Geography and Map of Bangladesh". About.com Geography. Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  2. ^ "Political Map of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh". Atlapedia Online. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  3. ^ Maddex, Robert L. (2014). Constitutions of the World. Routledge. p. 18. ISBN 9781136217890.
  4. ^ Ali, Syed Muazzem (2006). "Bangladesh and the OIC". Bangladesh & The World. The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  5. ^ Sheikh, Majid (2022-08-21). "Harking back: Bengalis who came with the British to rule us". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  6. ^ Bose, Sarmila (8 October 2005). "Anatomy of Violence: Analysis of Civil War in East Pakistan in 1971". Economic and Political Weekly. Archived from the original on 2007-03-01.
  7. ^ Matthew White's Death Tolls for the Major Wars and Atrocities of the Twentieth Century Archived 2007-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "History : The Bangali Genocide, 1971". Virtual Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 2010-03-10.
  9. ^ Rummel, Rudolph J., "Statistics of Democide: Genocide and Mass Murder Since 1900" Archived 2016-02-21 at the Wayback Machine, ISBN 3-8258-4010-7, Chapter 8, Table 8.2 Pakistan Genocide in Bangladesh Estimates, Sources, and Calculations Archived 2012-02-04 at the Wayback Machine: lowest estimate 2 million said by Pakistan (reported by Aziz, Qutubuddin. Blood and tears Karachi: United Press of Pakistan, 1974. pp. 74,226), all the other sources used by Rummel suggest a figure of between 8 and 10 million with one (Johnson, B. L. C. Bangladesh. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1975. pp. 73,75) that "could have been" 12 million.
  10. ^ Heitzman, James; Worden, Robert, eds. (1989). "The War for Bangladeshi Independence, 1971". Bangladesh: A Country Study. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 30–31. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
  11. ^ Rizvi, H. (1993-01-15). Pakistan and the Geostrategic Environment: A Study of Foreign Policy. Springer. ISBN 9780230379848.
  12. ^ Ahmed, Salahuddin (2004). Bangladesh: Past and Present. APH Publishing. ISBN 9788176484695.
  13. ^ Fazal-ur-RAHMAN. "Pakistan's Evolving Relations with China, Russia, and Central Asia" (PDF). Slavic-Eurasian Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
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  17. ^ Heitzman, James; Worden, Robert, eds. (1989). "The Zia Regime and Its Aftermath, 1977–82". Bangladesh: A Country Study. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 37–41. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
  18. ^ a b Ali, Mahmud (29 July 2002). "Bangladesh's emotional scars". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  19. ^ Zaheer, Farhan (28 September 2010). "Dhaka offers Pakistani businessmen multiple visas". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  20. ^ Hossain, Mohammad Amjad (2004). Foreign policy under Ziaur Rahman. The Daily Star. ISBN 9788176484695.
  21. ^ Riskfirst=Minorities at (2004). Chronology for Biharis in Bangladesh. UNHCR Web Archive. ISBN 9788176484695.
  22. ^ Craig Baxter, Bangladesh: From a nation to a state, Westview Press (1997), p. 150
  23. ^ Nelson, Dean (12 December 2013). "Bangladesh hangs 'Butcher of Mirpur' for 'war crimes'". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  24. ^ Chowdhury, Syed Tashfin (22 December 2013). "Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship strained". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
  25. ^ a b "Bangladesh grills Pakistan envoy over Molla resolution". Dawn. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  26. ^ "Jamaat leader's hanging in Bangladesh 'saddens' Nisar". Dawn. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  27. ^ Zaman, Sheikh (18 December 2013). "Dhaka summons Pakistan high commissioner over Molla resolution". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  28. ^ "Dhaka demonstrators protest Pakistan's reaction to Molla's execution". Express Tribune. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-12-26. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  29. ^ Khan, Mohammad Jamil (12 August 2015). "Bangladesh a transit hub for fake rupee smuggling". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  30. ^ "Diplomat back from BD after terror funding allegation". Dawn. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  31. ^ Panda, Ankit (24 December 2015). "Pakistani Diplomat With Terror Links Recalled from Bangladesh". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  32. ^ "'Terror financing': Pak diplomat withdrawn from Bangladesh". The Daily Star. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  33. ^ "Pakistan withdraws diplomat from Bangladesh: foreign ministry". The Indian Express. 25 December 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Pakistan expels senior Bangladesh diplomat as 'spy' row escalates". Dawn. 6 January 2016. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  35. ^ "Pakistan lifts all visa restrictions for Bangladeshi citizens". Arab News. 8 January 2021. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Pakistan removes all visa restrictions for Bangladesh nationals". Dhaka Tribune. 8 January 2021. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  37. ^ "'৭১–এর কৃতকর্মের জন্য ক্ষমা চাইলে পাকিস্তানের সঙ্গে সম্পর্ক স্বাভাবিক করা সহজ হবে: পররাষ্ট্র উপদেষ্টা". Prothom Alo. 2 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Dr Yunus urges Pakistan to resolve 1971 issues for improved ties". Dhaka Tribune. 19 December 2024.
  39. ^ "একাত্তরের অমীমাংসিত সমস্যা মীমাংসা করুন: পাকিস্তানের প্রধানমন্ত্রীর প্রতি প্রধান উপদেষ্টা". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 19 December 2024.
  40. ^ "Is revival of Pakistan-Bangladesh shipping route an ominous sign for India?". South China Morning Post. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  41. ^ "NBR lifts 100% inspection for goods imported from Pakistan". The Business Standard. 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  42. ^ Willem van Schendel (2005). The Bengal Borderland: Beyond State and Nation in South Asia. Anthem Press. pp. 244–. ISBN 978-1-84331-145-4.
  43. ^ "Five million illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 16 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  44. ^ Alam, Mukhtar (30 October 2001). "KARACHI: Worries of foreign students". Dawn. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  45. ^ Bradley, Megan (2013). Refugee Repatriation: Justice, Responsibility and Redress. Cambridge University Press. p. 200. ISBN 9781107026315.
  46. ^ a b "Musharraf wraps up Bangladesh visit". BBC News. 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  47. ^ "Bangladesh seeks new supply of ammo from Pakistan". The Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  48. ^ "Indian shares post best week since mid-June". Business Recorder. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 21 November 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  49. ^ "Pakistan, Bangladesh reopen direct trade route after decades of ill will". South China Morning Post. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  50. ^ a b "Bangladesh-Pakistan bilateral statistics" (PDF). Dhaka Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  51. ^ "Top Pakistan Exports to the World". Top Pakistan Exports to the World. Archived from the original on 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
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