Bangladesh: Anger over Pakistani interference

Thirty-six eminent citizens including professors, writers and journalists are frothing with anger over Pakistan’s interfering with Bangladesh’s execution of war crimes convict Abdul Quader Molla.

They expressed their outrage in a statement on Tuesday, a day after Pakistan’s national and provincial assemblies passed a resolution expressing concern over the execution, terming him “a supporter of the undivided Pakistan".

The statement, signed by prominent fiction writer Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, said, “The events after war criminal Abdul Quader Molla’s hanging have surprised and frustrated us.”

“Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign state with its own Constitution and law. Any foreign states or their diplomats in Bangladesh or governments, organisations and ministers should not forget that.”

“This kind of act from any state or its representative, international organisations or their representatives is tantamount to hurting the emotion of Bangladesh’s people. This can weaken the bilateral understanding and respect. We believe nobody wants this,” read the statement.

Among the signatories were Professor Anisuzzaman, Barrister Rafique-Ul Haque, Kamal Lohani, Sultana Kamal, Justice Golam Rabbani, Ferdousi Priobhashini, Shyamily Nasrin Chowdhury, Syed Shamsul Haque, Nirmolendu Gun, Shahriar Kabir, Muntasir Mamun and Prof MM Akash. Journalists who signed the statement included Golam Sarwar, Abed Khan, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Munni Saha, JE Mamun, Jayedul Ahsan Pintu, Porbhash Amin, Shamsuddin Haidar Dalim and Julfiqar Ali Manik. The statement was also signed by Dr Shahdin Malik, Dr Sarowar Ali, Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, Ali Zaker, Dr Yasmin Haque, Nur Safa Julhaz, Prof Abdul Aziz, Prof Zia Rahman, Prof Dr Baytullah Kadri, Prof Dr Hakim Arif, Prof AZM Saiful Alam Bhuiyan and Supriya Chakrabarty.

Bangladesh won independence from Pakistan in 1971 after nine months of bloody war. The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of which Abdul Quader Molla was a leader had sided with Pakistan during the war.

Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami earlier opposed the execution saying Molla was hanged to death because “he was loyal to Pakistan and supported Pakistan army during the 1971 war”. It took to the streets following the execution of Molla on Dec 12. The resolution was moved by the Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami. Its National Assembly member Sher Akbar Khan on Monday tabled the resolution. Reacting to this, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu earlier on Tuesday said Bangladesh government would formally lodge a protest. Senior Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta also urged the government to lodge a formal protest with Islamabad over the resolution passed on Monday.

“Our foreign ministry should tell the whole world that this verdict was delivered after a prolonged hearing and by following all judicial proceedings and through the Appellate Division,” Suranjit said.

Later in the evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Mian Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi and lodged ‘a strong protest’ against the resolution.

The ministry’s Secretary (bilateral) Mustafa Kamal conveyed the government’s protest and handed the High Commissioner an “Aide Memoire”.