DHAKA – Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam on Sunday urged the government of Pakistan to not ‘interfere’ in the ‘internal affairs’ of the South Asian nation, The Daily Star newspaperreported.
He made the statement after Pakistan expressed concern over the dismissal of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Moti ur Rahman Nizami’s review plea against the death sentence in ‘war crimes.’ He also requested Pakistan to “stop misinterpreting” the tripartite agreement signed by Bangladesh, India and Pakistan in 1974.
“We are disappointed with Pakistan’s reaction. We never welcome anyone interfering in our internal issues,” Alam said.“Despite repeated reminders, they are still doing it. They keep saying they are saddened by the verdict. But those being tried are Bangladeshi citizens after all,” he said.
The state minister pointed out that the 1974 tripartite agreement stated that the 195 Pakistanis who were repatriated to Pakistan would be given immunity but it did not mention anywhere that Bangladesh nationals involved in ‘war crimes’ would not be tried.
“I find this a serious issue, as these ‘war criminals’ are trying to assure their future generation with the notion that Pakistan as a state will be by their sides. Otherwise, why is Pakistan so saddened by Nizami’s death penalty,” he questioned.
A statement released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad called Nizami’s trial controversial. “We are concerned over Supreme Court of Bangladesh’s verdict that rejected Jamaat-e-Islami leader’s petition to review his death penalty,” it said.
The statement also read that they were following the reactions of world communities and human rights organisations over the ‘war crimes’ trial. On May 5, the Supreme Court dismissed Nizami’s petition to review his death penalty handed down to him for Jamaat’s opposition to the separation movement in 1971.
