Pakistan meddled in Bangladesh's affairs

The Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) yesterday condemned Pakistan expressing "anguish" and "concern" at the execution of war criminals Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, saying it was interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh.

During a news briefing at Jatiya Press Club, the forum leaders demanded that the government raise the issue in international and regional forums and take into consideration whether Bangladesh should keep on maintaining diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

"They [Pakistan] have been trying to establish that they did not commit any crime [during the Liberation War]. We will not let it happen," said SCF Chairman Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah.

The Pakistan foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday expressing "deep concern and anguish" over the execution of the two criminals.

SCF Secretary General Harun Habib read out a written statement condemning some international rights bodies' "stand in favour of war criminals".

He mentioned the names of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

They have been trying to create confusion over the trial process by spreading misleading information, the freedom fighter alleged.

During the briefing, the forum also condemned BNP's stand against the trial and execution of SQ Chowdhury, a leader of the party.

BNP's statement is similar to Pakistan government's, they said.

Replying to a query, SCF Vice President Harun ur Rashid said that by challenging SQ Chowdhury's execution, BNP challenged the country's judicial system. "We want the trial must go on and verdicts of the pending cases against those who are in custody will be executed as soon as possible," he said.