ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday summoned Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Foreign Office to lodge protest on the statements of Bangladesh government.
Foreign Office spokesperson in a statement issued here today said the Bangladesh envoy was summoned by Director General (SA & SAARC) and was informed that the Pakistan government rejected the baseless and unfounded assertions of the Bangladesh government conveyed through its November 23 note.
The spokesperson said Pakistan also rejected insinuation of “complicity in committing crimes or war atrocities”. He added: “It is regrettable that attempts have been made by the government of Bangladesh to malign Pakistan, despite our ardent desire to develop brotherly relations with Bangladesh,” said the spokesperson.
He said Pakistan believes that the peoples of both the countries not only want to maintain but also further strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood. However, sadly, the Government of Bangladesh does not seem to respect these sentiments, the spokesperson observed.
The spokesperson said the 1974 tripartite Agreement is the bedrock of relations between the two countries. He said as regards the Bangladesh government’s contention that Pakistan presents a misleading interpretation of this agreement, it needs to be emphasised that, as part of the agreement, Bangladesh had ‘decided not to proceed with the trials as an act of clemency.’
“Pakistan reiterates its desire for further enhancing relations with Bangladesh, because we believe that the hearts of the people of Pakistan beat in unison with the people of Bangladesh,” said the spokesperson.
He said it is important for the two countries not to forget the role played by their people in the struggle for the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the South Asian sub-continent.
It is, therefore, imperative to move forward in the spirit of goodwill, friendship and harmony for the collective good of the peoples of Pakistan and Bangladesh, said the spokesperson.