ISLAMABAD: The acting high commissioner of Bangladesh was summoned to the Foreign Office here on Monday and a protest was lodged over his government’s recent statements.

The Foreign Office said the acting high commissioner, summoned by the Director General (SA & Saarc), was informed that the government rejected the baseless and unfounded assertions of the Bangladesh government made in its note of Nov 23.

He said Pakistan also rejected insinuation of “complicity in committing crimes or war atrocities”.

Maligning of Pakistan by Bangladesh regretted

“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.”

According to a statement issued by the FO spokesman, Pakistan believes that the peoples of both the countries not only want to maintain but also strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood. However, sadly, the government of Bangladesh does not seem to respect these sentiments.

The statement said the 1974 tripartite agreement was the bedrock of relations between the two countries. As regards the Bangladesh government’s contention that Pakistan presents a misleading interpretation of the agreement, it needs to be emphasised 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.”

The spokesman said it was 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 Muslims of the subcontinent.

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, he said.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2015