ISLAMABAD: Reacting to flawed trials and executions in Bangladesh, Islamabad on Sunday called for reconciliation in accordance with the spirit of 1974 agreement, while Interior Minister Ch Nisar said murder of humanity and revenge to ‘Pakistanism’ should come to an end. “Pakistan is deeply disturbed at this development,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khaliullah said in a statement while expressing deep concern and anguish over the unfortunate executions of Bangladesh National Party leaders Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mojaheed.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan has also been noting the reaction of the international community on the flawed trials in Bangladesh related to the events of 1971. He said reconciliation is needed in Bangladesh in accordance with the spirit of Pakistan-India-Bangladesh agreement of April 9, 1974. The agreement calls for a forward looking approach in matters relating to 1971, adding the agreement would foster goodwill and harmony. This agreement was signed among the three countries after Eastern Pakistan ceded from Western part (present Pakistan) after 1971 war.
Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan said people of Pakistan and Bangladesh wanted to promote brotherly relations and move forward by forgetting bitterness of the past. But, a group in Bangladesh could not see restoring the atmosphere of brotherhood between people of the two countries. “We have the idea that who is behind that group, and it played what role in the incidents of 1970-71,” he said in a statement. Pakistan, the minister said, was very much in the know that which forces were stopping people of the two countries from getting closer to each other, and the conspirator elements behind it. Being a Pakistani, he said, he had the feelings that whatever was happening in Bangladesh, it was against and in violation of international laws and human rights. He expressed astonishment that why the world especially international human rights organisations were silent over the ‘murder of justice.’
“I am upset that we could not do anything for those who just had the fault of being loyal to their motherland,” he added. The minister said murder of humanity and revenge to ‘Pakistanism’ should come to an end now. In next meeting of the cabinet, he said, he would again take up the issue so that Bangladesh’s revengeful policies could be contained. “Hearts of people of Pakistan and Bangladesh beat together and they want to see the two countries closer, no matter whatsoever jealous elements say,” he added.
In Dhaka, the Bangladesh government summoned Pakistani High Commissioner for the country’s statements on war criminals’ execution. A government official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune on Sunday that Pakistani High Commissioner Suja Alam had been summoned by acting foreign secretary Mizanur Rahaman. The Pakistani envoy was directed to visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 2:30pm on Monday (today), the official said.
