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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is deeply disturbed by the executions this morning of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader and Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general who were both charged with 1971 war crimes, the Foreign Office said.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid were "hanged together, at the same time" at 12:55 am (local time) at Dhaka Central Jail in the nation's capital, Senior Jail Superintendent Mohammad Jahangir Kabir told The Associated Press.
Chowdhury had been convicted on of charges of torture, rape and genocide during the country's independence war, while Mujahid was found guilty on charges of genocide, conspiracy in killing intellectuals, torture and abduction.
"We have noted with deep concern and anguish the unfortunate executions of the Bangladesh National Party Leader, Mr. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Mr Ali Ahsan Mujahid," Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said in a statement.
The spokesman said Pakistan also took notice of the international community's reaction to the flawed trials in Bangladesh related to the events of 1971.
Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party say the trials were politically motivated. Bangaldeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has denied the allegations, but acknowledged that she faced international pressure for trying opposition figures for war crimes.
Human Rights Watch said the tribunal allowed the prosecution to call 41 witnesses, while Chowdhury's defense was limited to four witnesses. The New York-based group said Mujahid was sentenced to death for instigating his subordinates to commit abuses, although no subordinates testified or were identified.
Khalilullah said there is a need for reconciliation in Bangladesh in accordance with the spirit of the Bangladesh, India, Pakistan Agreement of April 9, 1974, which he said calls for a forward-looking approach in matters relating to 1971.
The spokesman addressed hope that such an action would foster goodwill and harmony.
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Comments (49) Closed
Nov 22, 2015 03:08pm
trials held in bangladesh are extremely disgraceful and act of war crimes.
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Nov 22, 2015 03:11pm
Stop Criticising its is not Pakistan where money launderers become Ministers, senators ,,,,, like PM Nawaz and Munshi Dar... its bangladesh they have balls to bring anyone who ever has committed serious crime it does not matter how long ago...............
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Nov 22, 2015 03:14pm
Executions are in full swing in Pakistan too n even very frequently Pakistan citizen are executed in Saudi Arabia. I read no such statement dn... Respect Bangladesh its a free sovereign nation. Time to side with humanity n punish who did crime against humanity .
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Nov 22, 2015 03:46pm
Nobody is interested in what Pakistan has to say about hangings in Bangladesh. Why should anyone including Bangladesh listen to what Pakistan government thinks about internal matters of Bangladesh. If Pakistan was seen by most countries as an independent and unbiased party, this would have been a different matter but being the very reason Bangladesh got independence from a united Pakistan, this all seems "sour grapes" comments. Please keep your nose away from this as it doesn't belong there.
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Nov 22, 2015 03:55pm
Why should we be bothered by what's happening someplace else. Don't we have enough problems of our own?
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Nov 22, 2015 03:55pm
There are so many issues within Pakistan that you need to be deeply disturbed about. Please focus on dealing with them and stop worrying about what goes on in other countries.
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Nov 22, 2015 03:59pm
Pakistan, just like you lecure India to not meddle in your judicial process, you have no business whatsoever to question Bangladesh's judicial system however flawed you might think their process is.
The world might think your own judicial process is flawed (looking at past incidents) but that is not the case, is it?
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Nov 22, 2015 04:10pm
Internal matter of Bangladesh
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Nov 22, 2015 04:18pm
It's important to bury the past before a country can rise. This is part of that, punishing the criminals responsible for what they did in 71.
The international community is also concerned about the hangings in Pakistan which this foreign secretary is selectively deaf and blind to.
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Nov 22, 2015 04:25pm
No need to interfere in other countries matter. No need to become US.
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Nov 22, 2015 04:42pm
Why Pakistan has to be disturbed? It is internal matter of Bangladesh
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Nov 22, 2015 04:42pm
FO sahib whats your advise to SA for execution of Pakistanis without free trail?
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Nov 22, 2015 04:54pm
Why FO should worry/comment about the internal matter of other country? If Bangala ask why Bhutto was executed in spite of appeals from all universal leaders what will be our reply?
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Nov 22, 2015 05:31pm
@adnan khan they made crimes in 1971 but thet hanged in 2015 so these many year's they r in jail but hanged at de age's of 66 nd 67 but crimes dey made r killing fellow's nd children...!!! justice delayed by stands on its way
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Nov 22, 2015 05:33pm
Pak should not poke into other country affairs. Pak judicial proceedings are questionable,particularly military courts which does not call for accountability.
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Nov 22, 2015 05:44pm
It is NOT merely an internal matter of BD. And it is NOT comparable with Saudi or Pakistani executions.
Not only these are politically motivated shame trials but also these are in name of Pakistan/71. And probably against the pact between BD and Pak after 71.
Pakistani FO spoke too late and too timidly, shame on them.
Fro the interested ones and the ones keen to see unbiased picture, please enhance you knowledge Sarmial Bose's book too.
Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh War
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0231701640?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_26&smid=A6I6GUNA7ZSCV
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Nov 22, 2015 05:48pm
Sir,
Its none of our business and pl spend your time and energy in keeping house in order. Do you have count of how many are hanged in Pakistan every month, is there a fair trial for them.....And also who cares for your concerns and comments.
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Nov 22, 2015 06:16pm
Right now we should keep our interests in pakistan only . its Bangladesh internal matter and they know very well who is accountable for crimes in war crimes.
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Nov 22, 2015 06:35pm
It is not clear why pakistan is disturbed for the internal matter of bangladesh. Is it a loss to pakistan? We can understand the reason. But what can be done!!
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Nov 22, 2015 06:41pm
One of the best leaders the world ever had was Nelson Mandela.
He put into place the Truth and Reconciliation process which exposed the crimes by both sides of the previous conflict in Apartheid South Africa. The crimes were recorded and documented, but all who were guilty were allowed to go free and all were FORGIVEN.
It bound up the wounds of a nation and put a healing salve on the terrible sores. It saved the people of South Africa.
If all nations would follow Nelson Mandela's philosophy, including the nation of Bangladesh, it would be a better world...
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Nov 22, 2015 06:49pm
Pakistan does lots of unfare things with us. In 1952, 56% people of then Pakistan speak Bangla but it declares Urdu(23%) as state language. Bangla was then a nobel wining language. Now tell me whats the different betwen Hindi and Urdu without letters???
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Nov 22, 2015 06:59pm
Every country should condemn such politically motivated executions. BD Government has started taking revenge from political opponents and FO of Pakistan has rightly condemned these atrocities.
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Nov 22, 2015 07:02pm
@Alien. Yes BD bring everyone to justice like sheikh hasina's son and family. Come on get real. It's not just Pakistan saying, the whole world agrees that these trials are more about political party vengeance
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Nov 22, 2015 07:04pm
We need to start trial (in absentia) of Awami League Leadership
for killing of thousands of West Pakistanis and non Bengalis . Our
silence over what's going on in BD is deeply disturbing and must be condemned in strongest terms .proposed posthumous trials
must be given International publicity .
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Nov 22, 2015 07:35pm
@economist ,
They were not in jail all these years!! They were in jail for last 3-5 years when the trial went on.
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Nov 22, 2015 08:07pm
If these guys are innocent who carried out the killings
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Nov 22, 2015 08:33pm
Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh has been called by BD foreign ministry for this rough reaction. Do you need more??
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Nov 22, 2015 08:47pm
How are we concerned about what Bangladesh did to their own citizens? It is not part of Pakistan anymore. How do we feel if Bangladesh protests, let us say, our treatment of Ahmadias? Won't we tell them to mind their own business?
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Nov 22, 2015 09:02pm
@ m m amin i think you are a kid of very young age and hence have not seen the real picture. pls read history book before writing anything. do you know how many people were killed in the genocide in east pakistan. And what has pakistan got to do if Bangladesh find some Bangladeshi guilty and decides to hang them.
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Nov 22, 2015 09:03pm
@ m m amin , spoken from one of those who was involved as well as silent. lol
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Nov 22, 2015 09:28pm
...and at the same time, Pakistan Foreign Office not at all disturbed about the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh (roughly half a million by some accounts).
Where is the human rights watch on that?
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Nov 22, 2015 09:35pm
Sir its their country their law.....
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Nov 22, 2015 09:57pm
BTW, who "told" to Pakistan deeply disturbed?
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Nov 22, 2015 10:08pm
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the iron lady of Bangladesh.
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Nov 22, 2015 10:51pm
This is none of your business. mind it.
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Nov 22, 2015 10:53pm
nice advce
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Nov 22, 2015 10:59pm
birds of a feather...............................
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Nov 23, 2015 12:10am
Bangladesh is a VICTORIOUS nation.
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Nov 23, 2015 12:33am
@Kunal, Remember, in 1971 was the biggest meddling by India in Pakistan. You may forget but Pakistan does not. Now Shev Sena has started something we were hoping for the last 50 years. Inshallah that day is not far.
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Nov 23, 2015 02:43am
how does it concern you btw?
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Nov 23, 2015 04:47am
This is indian way to show how much Bangladesh is controlled !
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Nov 23, 2015 09:52am
Pakistan should have done more and still can send a strong message. We have always been half-hearted in our actions and even in military operations. While we had the chance, Mujibur Rahman should have been convicted for treason by Ayub Khan for the Agartala conspiracy for the charge was correct.
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Nov 23, 2015 01:32pm
@ m m amin > Do so if you dare.
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Nov 23, 2015 04:46pm
@Alien Do You Know the history?
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Nov 23, 2015 09:52pm
@Alien Very well said. Thanks
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Nov 24, 2015 02:55am
Being a Pakistani, I say we have no right to meddle in Bangladesh's affairs.
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Nov 24, 2015 03:21am
@M. Siddique
How is that relevant? I only said, just like you want others to respect your own judicial process, you must not question others. If you do then don't get offended when others question yours.
Regarding your Shiv sena statement, lets wait and see.......The sooner you forget 1971 the better it would be for your future. Look at the bigger picture my friend...see where the world is today and where you are (including India...)
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Nov 24, 2015 08:27am
@Manjit Singh : The US is happy with Zarb-i-Azb and has thanked General Raheel Sharif in person last week!
There is most likely no country that is not guilty of punishing its own citizens wrongfully.
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Nov 24, 2015 03:22pm
As a Bangladeshi born in the independent Bangladesh I wish to express my feeling in this way. It is better for Pakistan officials to look into thier internal crisis of many folds. They should avoid coming to the press for nothing if their interests is not afeected by Bangladesh War Crime trials. The expressed reactions of the Pakistan goverment found to be very unwanted in any considerations. The goverment of Pakistan need to recognize the fact that they are now talking about issues of Bangladesh although the backgound is linked to East Pakistan. You Pakistan goverment try to take a stake in global or regional politics they need to find a diffent issue.
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