Pakistan, BD continue trading accusations after JI leader’s hanging

ISLAMABAD: Accusations and counter accusations between Pakistan and Bangladesh continue in the wake of the latest hanging of a senior member of the Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka for alleged war crimes.

Pakistan has reminded Bangladesh that according to the tripartite April 9, 1974 agreement, this was a clear violation as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India had a written agreement stating that bygones should be bygones and no one should be tried in court.

The exact wording of the1974 agreement states, “In the light of the foregoing and, in particular, having regard to the appeal of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to the people of Bangladesh to forgive and forget the mistakes of the past, the foreign minister of Bangladesh stated that the government of Bangladesh had decided not to proceed with the trials as an act of clemency. It was agreed that 195 prisoners of war may be repatriated to Pakistan along with the other prisoners of war now in the process of repatriation under the Delhi Agreement.”

However, now Bangladeshi Law Minister Anisul Huq has interpreted the agreement by charging Pakistan of violating it, saying thousands of stranded non-Bangladeshi citizens still linger and Pakistan has not taken them back.

“Under the 1974 agreement (among Dhaka, New Delhi and Islamabad), Pakistan was obligated to take back its stranded citizens from Bangladesh. They did not fulfil their obligation over the decades,” Anisul Huq said at a discussion.

In reality, thousands of Biharis languish in Bangladesh as Pakistan has cited different reasons for not repatriating them. However, millions of Afghan refugees were allowed in, and most of them have not returned home.

The treaty further adds, “According to the agreement in respect of non-Bangalis in Bangladesh, the Pakistan side stated that the government of Pakistan had already issued clearances for movement to Pakistan in favour of those non-Bangalis who were either domiciled in former West Pakistan, were employees of the central government and their families or were members of the divided families, irrespective of their original domicile. The issuance of clearances to 25,000 persons who constitute hardship cases was also in progress. The Pakistan side reiterated that all those who fall under the first three categories would be received by Pakistan without any limit as to numbers. In respect of persons whose application had been rejected, the Pakistan government would, upon request, provide reasons why any particular case was rejected. Any aggrieved applicant could, at any time, seek a review of his application provided he was able to supply new facts or further information to the government of Pakistan in support of his contention that he qualified in one or other of the three categories. The claims of such persons would not be time-barred. In the event of the decision of review of a case being adverse, the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh might seek to resolve it by mutual consultation.”