DACCA: The National Council of the Awami League, the ruling party of Bangla Desh, began a two-day session today [April 7] with a call from Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Pakistan to recognise his country and sit down with it and India at a conference table.

“Recognise Bangla Desh, sit down with India and Bangla Desh,” Mujib said, addressing Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “Let us declare this region an area of peace.” He said the Pakistani President was suing 400,000 Bengalis in Pakistan as a lever to prevent the trial of alleged Pakistani war criminals. The Sheikh said those Pakistanis who had not committed crimes would certainly go home eventually. “But those who have killed our people, dishonoured our mothers and sisters and destroyed our economy will be tried on the soil of Bangla Desh,” he said.

Sheikh Mujib said that the Pakistani rulers had committed many misdeeds in the name of Islam. He said he believed that the people of Pakistan will no longer be prepared to be guided by false propaganda. Sheikh Mujib advised Mr Bhutto to hand over power to the elected representatives of the people. Unless this was done, the Army might once again take back power from his hands, he added. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2022