The Pakistan High Commission, Dhaka yesterday condemned local media reports regarding one of its officials’ militant connection as “utterly baseless.”
The “story” was leaked to the press by the Detective Branch of police, and a section of the press published the same, “without any verification worth the name,” said a press release of the Pakistan High Commission.
It said all diplomatic norms and courtesies were thrown to the wind by publishing fabricated details of an imaginary “sinister plot” to destabilise Pakistan.
“To our utter shock and dismay, the photograph of the said officer has also been recklessly published by the media and vulgar insinuations have been made regarding her character.
“It is not only a despicable attempt at character assassination but also endangers the security of the officer. This is the last thing that is expected to happen in a brotherly Muslim country.”
Pakistan would like to reiterate the fact that a strong and prosperous Bangladesh can only add to Pakistan’s strength, rather than in any way, diminish it, the statement added.
The Pakistani official’s involvement with militant organisations including outlawed Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh was reported in the media based on information given by JMB members detained in November.
The DB police arrested four JMB members including a Pakistani national named Idris Sheikh from the capital on November 29. Idris disclosed the name of the Pakistani official in his confessional statement made before a Dhaka court.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday said steps would be taken against the official through the Foreign Ministry if her involvement with militant organisations in Bangladesh was proved.
