Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday dismissed as “unacceptable” Pakistan’s criticism of Bangladesh’s 1971 war crimes trial and execution of two top opposition leaders even as the government summoned Islamabad’s envoy here to lodge a strong protest.
“It (Pakistan reaction) is not acceptable,” Ms Hasina said, a day after Islamabad issued a statement expressing its deep anguish over the executions of two top opposition leaders for crimes against humanity.
Referring to Pakistani criticism that “there is a need for reconciliation in Bangladesh in accordance with the spirit of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh Agreement of 9th April 1974”, the Bangladesh foreign ministry said that it is Pakistan which is not honouring the agreement.
“It is Pakistan that has systematically failed in its obligation to bring to justice those of its nationals identified and held responsible for committing mass atrocity crimes in 1971,” read the text of the protest note handed down to Islamabad's envoy in Dhaka.
“We have summoned Pakistani high commissioner Shuja Alam today and protested in strongest words,” acting foreign secretary Mizanur Rahman said.
He said the envoy was served the summon immediately after the Pakistan foreign ministry issued a statement, voicing “deep concern and anguish” over the execution of Jamaat-e- Islami secretary-general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, 67, and key-opposition BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, 66.
This was the third occasion when Bangladesh summoned Pakistani envoy after it initiated a belted process in 2010 to expose to justice the 1971 war criminals.
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan said that it was deeply concerned and expressed its anguish over the executions.
Pakistan interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also criticised the executions, “It is astonishing why human rights organisations are silent over the killing of justice and rights in Bangladesh.”
He asked Bangladesh to forget past and move ahead.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan want to promote and strengthen their brotherly relations through mutual interaction.
