Pakistan today summoned the acting high commissioner of Bangladesh
and denied committing any war crime or atrocities during the 1971 war of
independence.
It also rejected as ‘baseless and unfounded assertions’ of Bangladesh against Pakistan.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” A Pakistan Foreign Ministry press release said.
“It is regrettable that attempts have been made by the Government of
Bangladesh to malign Pakistan, despite our ardent desire to develop
brotherly relations with Bangladesh. Pakistan believes that the peoples
of both countries not only want to maintain but also further strengthen
the bonds of friendship and brotherhood. However, sadly, the Government
of Bangladesh does not seem to respect these sentiments.”
Pakistan said the 1974 tripartite agreement is the bedrock of relations between the two countries.
“As regards the Bangladesh Government's contention that Pakistan
presents a misleading interpretation of the Agreement of 1974, it needs
to be emphasized that, as part of the Agreement, the Government of
Bangladesh had "decided not to proceed with the trials as an act of
clemency."
“Pakistan reiterates its desire for further enhancing relations with
Bangladesh, because we believe that the hearts of the people of Pakistan
beat in unison with the people of Bangladesh. It is important for the
two countries not to forget the role played by their people in the
struggle for the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of
the South Asian sub-continent, the release further read.
“It is, therefore, imperative to move forward in the spirit of
goodwill, friendship and harmony for the collective good of the peoples
of Pakistan and Bangladesh,” the statement added.
