Condemning the resolution of the Pakistani parliament on war criminal Quader Molla’s execution, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Tuesday called upon the country’s authorities concerned to immediately have it withdrawn and apologise for its role in the 1971 Liberation War.
The minister made the call while addressing journalists at his office on Tuesday, a day after the Pakistan National Assembly adopted a resolution expressing concern over the execution of convicted war criminal and Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla.
He said: “The Pakistani authorities should withdraw the resolution on the execution of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla. They should also to withdraw the comment that the interior Minister of Pakistan, Chowdhury Nisar Ali Khan, made over the issue.”
Pakistani Minister Nisar Ali Khan Chowdhury on Friday said the execution of Abdul Quader Molla is “an effort to revive old wounds” with Bangladesh.
The government should have considered the greater national interest and shown “farsightedness” and goodness instead, the minister said.
Deeming the comment of the Pakistani minister “unacceptable and unexpected”, he said: “The comment made by the Pakistani minister has violated the diplomatic norms and the act should be considered as an intrusion into another country’s affairs.”
Inu said: “Rather than defending the role during the 1971 liberation war, many are now trying to justify what they did during the nine-month war instead of seeking an apology. It is a crime to stand for a crime,” added the minister.
Mentioning that there is no question of the rising allegations of not maintaining the international standard while trying the war criminals, he said: “All international standards had been met before the international crimes tribunal were set up and handed the death penalty to Quader Molla.”
He further said the tribunal was constitutionally formed; the trial process was made open to all and all the accused were afforded the rights to defend.
Bangladesh has maintained every legal procedure to ensure justice, he added. Pakistan National Assembly adopted the resolution on Monday.
“This House expresses deep concern on hanging of a veteran politician of Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh for supporting Pakistan in 1971,” said the resolution.
The House expressed grief and sorrow with the bereaved family and demanded to avoid reviving the wounds of 1971 and amicably resolve cases against Bangladeshi leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami.
