Dhaka tells Islamabad to stay out of its internal affairs, that it is no longer 1971

Pakistan adopts a resolution against Bangladesh, criticising the execution of a leader of the Islamic fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami party. In Dhaka, peaceful protesters try to reach the Pakistani Embassy. Islamabad is accused of not moving away "from its 1971 policy".

by Sumon Corraya

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Bangladeshi authorities expressed anger over Pakistan's "interference in the domestic affairs of Bangladesh" where it no longer has any right to meddle.

This comes after Pakistan's National Assembly passed a resolution on Monday against the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh leader Abdul Quader Mollah, who was put to death for crimes against humanity committed during Bangladesh's war of liberation from Pakistan in 1971.

Mollah's hanging on 12 December sparked a backlash among supporters of his party. In Pakistan, the country's parliament adopted a resolution in which it "expresses concerns over the execution" and called on "the Bangladesh government not to rake up the memories of 1971 and all cases against JI leaders [of Bangladesh] should be settled amicably."

In Bangladesh, Pakistan's statement sparked strong negative reactions. Today, police stopped some peaceful protesters from reaching the Pakistani Embassy of in Dhaka. They included families of war victims and women tortured by the Pakistani army.

"The statement of the Pakistan National Assembly shows the country has neither corrected itself nor moved away from its 1971 policy," Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said.

In the minister's view, Pakistan's declaration broke accepted diplomatic rules.

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