Unbelievable but true — and perhaps indicative of changing times.
Online readers of a Pakistan-based newspaper in small numbers so far have hailed the Supreme Court’s judgment on Tuesday that gave Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla death penalty for crimes against humanity during 1971 Liberation War.
One said “Bangladesh is now a country with a clear vision, courage and determination”.
“They should not worry about criticism from the West and carry out the death sentence as quickly as possible,” the reader “Raj” commented on “The Express Tribune”.
Its report was headlined “War crimes: Bangladesh court imposes death sentence on Jamaat-e-Islami leader”.
Bangladesh won its independence in 1971 from Pakistan after nine-month of bloody war.
The Jamaat-e-Islami which was a part of its parent body in Pakistan supported the Pakistani brutal military effort to crush the Liberation War.
The current Awami League-led government started the trial for crimes against humanity during the war. The Pakistan Jamaat protested the verdict against former Bangladesh Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam which gave him 90 years in prison.
By 7pm, at least eight readers commented on the story.
In the comment section, a reader identified as “Muhammad Saim” also demanded justice for Pakistan Jamaat. “Wish Supreme Court of Pakistan brings JI Pakistan to justice too! List of crimes against humanity is too long to wait”.
“A killer is a killer, no matter he kills in the name of Allah!!,” Muhammad Saim again wrote.
“The Bangladeshis are braver than we are in Pakistan,” another reader ‘Rabia’ wrote.
Raj further commented “I wish Pakistan opens its eyes now!”
Another reader Parvez wrote: “Credit goes to the Bangladesh Court for doing the right thing………it clearly shown the intent and direction the country wishes to take”.
Jamaat-e-Islami has called 48-hour shutdown in Bangladesh protesting the verdict.
Source: Bd news24