Terming the execution of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah ‘internal matter of Bangladesh’, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Tuesday asked Pakistan not to poke its nose into it.
He came up with the remarks following a resolution adopted by the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan and the statement of Pakistani interior minister expressing concern over the hanging of Quader Mollah for ‘his loyalty with Pakistan’ during the events of 1971.
The resolution adopted on Monday also expressed condolences with Bangladesh and family members of Abdul Quader Mollah and demanded of the Bangladesh government not to resurrect the issues of 1971 and end all cases against leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami through the spirit of understanding.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali severely criticised Bangladesh for executing the Jamaat leader.
On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan termed Abdul Quader Mollah innocent, saying charges brought against him had been false.
While talking to reporters at his office, Inu urged Pakistan to withdraw the resolution and the statement and instead render apology to the people of Bangladesh for carrying out genocide during the War of Liberation in 1971.
Terming the statement of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan ‘unlucky and vague’, he said, “It’s beyond the etiquette of diplomacy. It again proved that the Pakistanis did not rectify them yet. They did not move aside from the principle of 1971.”
Criticising Nisar Ali Khan’s statement where he termed Quader Mollah’s execution a ‘judicial murder’, the Information Minister said, “It’s not a judicial murder as the government executed the verdict as per the order of the apex court.”
He also said the Internal Crimes Tribunals are comprised of judges and the war crimes accused have the right to defend them during the trial proceedings for which they get enough time. “So, the judgment against Quader Mollah has not been implemented hurriedly.”
The Minister said foreign friends have no right to interfere in the internal matter of Bangladesh and several countries, including the United States, have not raised any question in this regard.
Replying to a question whether the government would take any steps against Pakistan, Inu said the Foreign Ministry will take necessary steps.
Expressing ‘deep grief’ and concern over the execution of Mollah, the Pakistan Minister said every Pakistani is saddened and grieved on his death, reports Pakistan’s influential daily Dawn.
In the statement, he also said executing Mollah after a delay of 42 years to the events of 1971 was very unfortunate and tragic and some circles are declaring it a judicial murder.
Source: UNB Connect