In a chance meeting with an old acquaintance in Saudi Arabia after the Hajj, Prime Minister's Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman let it be known that Pakistan needs to apologise for the atrocities committed in 1971 to improve relations with Bangladesh.

Also: Salman F Rahman asks Pakistan president to apologise for 1971 atrocities

He relayed the message to Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi when they met in Madinah, Saudi Arabia last Thursday, according to a press release circulated from the adviser's office on Tuesday. This was after both had already tweeted about their encounter in Islam's second-holiest city. From the tweets it was learned that the pair were boyhood friends, but seeing each other again after some 60 years.

Also Read: Operation Searchlight March 25, 1971: What actually happened on that day?

President Md Shahabuddin Chuppu was also part of the gathering.

“Had a pleasant meeting with Pakistan's President Arif Alvi at Masjid-e-Nabawi. We last met when I was 12. This meeting reminded me of many childhood memories. I told him that an apology from Pakistan is needed for what happened in 1971 to improve relations between the two countries. We prayed for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in the holy city,” Salman tweeted on Monday.

Also read: Rivers, lifeline of Bangladesh, played a crucial role behind victory over Pakistan in 1971: Study

In his own tweet, Arif said he had a "good conversation" with Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin in Makkah, Mina and Madinah.

Calling Salman a "childhood friend", Arif said, "This meeting of the two friends took place after 60 years.”

Both heads of state and the PM's adviser performed the Hajj this year.