Keep diplomatic ties with Pakistan to minimum

The reactions Pakistan and Turkey gave after the execution of war criminals in Bangladesh are “unacceptable” and “go against the established diplomatic norms”, former diplomats and freedom fighters said yesterday.

They also recommended that the government bring down the diplomatic relations with Pakistan at a lowest level and take necessary step to dispel “misunderstanding” with Turkish government about the ongoing war crimes trial.

The speakers said these at a discussion organised by the Sector Commanders Forum (SCF)-Muktijuddho '71, an organisation of freedom fighters, at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Two war crimes tribunals have so far delivered 26 judgments, convicting 50 people and sentencing 28 of them to death for the crimes during the Liberation War. Six convicts have already been executed.

After the execution of war criminals, Pakistan issued almost similar statements expressing deep sadness over the issue and created a huge public outrage in Bangladesh.

Haroon Habib, SCF secretary general, said Pakistan's reaction over Bangladesh's internal affairs was a clear violation of international norms, and it went beyond the diplomatic norms.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, a former principal of Foreign Service Academy, said that while Pakistan judiciary itself failing to maintain proper standard, its government is trying to interfere in Bangladesh's internal matters.

“The role of Pakistan and Turkey over the war crimes issue is very much reprehensible,” he said.

Ashraf ud Doula, a former secretary and ambassador, said, “Pakistan always considers us as an enemy, and they never helped us regarding any international issue. So I think there is no necessity to post a high commissioner in Pakistan.”

“I will recommend the government to control Pakistani citizens' visit to Bangladesh and vice versa in order to restrict communication with Pakistan,” he said.

 “We need to discuss with the Turkish government about the war criminal's trial to develop diplomatic relation with the country.”

Opposing the two countries' interference deeply, Mumtaz Hussain, a former high commissioner, said the people of Bangladesh would never accept such interference to its internal affairs.

Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, former chairman of the central commanding council at Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, and Prof Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University also spoke at the programme.