Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Qureshi on Tuesday said Islamabad has not made any formal statement about the trial of war criminals in Bangladesh. "It is the guess work of the media that reports Pakistan is opposed to the trial," he said. The issue of trial of alleged Pakistani war criminals had been settled through the Simla agreement, he said.
"We have no concern about the Bangladesh government's initiative to try the war criminals living in Bangladesh," the Pakistan High Commissioner said while talking to reporters after meeting with Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed at his office in Dhaka. Qureshi said Pakistan fully believes in the independence of Bangladesh. Law Minister Barrister Shafique said the High Commissioner made it clear that Pakistan will not interfere in the trial of those who committed crimes against humanity.
The High Commissioner told the Law Minister that it is the internal matter of Bangladesh and Pakistan has no objection to it. Barrister Shafique told the reporters that those war criminals, who are living in Bangladesh will be put on trial under International Crimes (Tribunals) Act.
He said those who committed murder, rape, loot and other crimes against humanity will come under the trial process. In reply to a question, the Law Minister said the government has not changed its position, saying that the offenders will be tried under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act.
Replying to another question he said those who will be found guilty through investigation would be brought to justice. The trial will start upon completion of the investigation, he added. Earlier, a delegation of the International Human Rights met with the Law Minister to discuss capital punishment in Bangladesh. The Minister explained that those found guilty of committing serious offences are punished with death penalty.
Comments
Comments are closed.