“The execution of Abdul Quader Molla is a very unfortunate and tragic step,” says Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government seemed to be speaking in two distinct tongues on Friday as officials struggled to find a unified response to Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla’s execution, the first of a prisoner convicted by Bangladesh’s controversial war crimes tribunal.
Broadly, two reactions came to the fore. While Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expressed deep grief and concern over the hanging of Molla, the Foreign Office’s response was measured and guarded as it reiterated the non-interventionist policies of the country in the affairs of other states. Separately, Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Riaz Pirzada spearheaded the government effort to block an attempt by JI lawmakers to table a resolution against Molla’s execution in the National Assembly.
Nisar, however, saw no reason for such caution. He called Molla’s hanging a sad attempt to revive old wounds of the past and said there was no doubt the JI leader was punished for his loyalty to Pakistan in 1971. “The execution of Abdul Quader Molla is a very unfortunate and tragic step,” he said in a statement.
The interior minister went a step farther, saying Molla “remained a supporter of a united Pakistan” till the very end before creation of Bangladesh. “And today every Pakistani is saddened and grieved over his death.”
Nisar said international relations, solidarity of Islamic Ummah and wisdom demanded that such events of the past should be put behind for the beginning of a new era.
“But with this unfortunate incident, an effort is made to revive old wounds of the past,” he said, adding that in reality all sides in a conflict resort to violence whenever a country falls victim to civil war.
The Foreign Office was very careful its selection of words.
“While it is not Pakistan’s policy to interfere in the affairs of any country, we have noted the concerns raised by the international community and human rights organisations on the way the recent trials have been conducted which have added to the current instability in Bangladesh,” it said in a statement.
“We wish the brotherly people of Bangladesh well and hope that spirit of reconciliation and an atmosphere, free of violence, will prevail.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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I can't believe the comments I'm hearing here.. I don't know if he was guilty or not but I do know that every Muslim should be concerned with another muslim's life.. If he was guilty then he will be punished further by Allah, but if he was innocent, saying mean things only makes his death that much more saddening.. We'll all know soon enough!!
One question.....why didn't he migrate to Pakistan when he loved Pakistan so much...?
I wish we could do the same here!
By now, he is in heaven or something, I think. Ameeen.
Was he a good terrorist or a bad terrorist?
We don't have to do anything. Bangladeshis are destroying their country on their own:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/645101/deadly-clashes-in-bangladesh-after-top-jamaat-leader-executed-for-war-crimes/
Better to stay out of it and let them get on with it.
@just_someone: The government response is pathetic, the message should have been loud and clear that this nation respect its sympathisers. He was simply loyal to his country as one should be. Bear in mind he has been hanged for a crime(if it is) when he was a Pakistani citizen, hence Pakistan's concern. Don't forget Pakistan's military is still been dragged into this. May Allah bless his soul. Amen
FO point of view is very sensible and according to International laws..such policy must be carried on in future ..Were his last words "Pakistan Zindabad?"
“And today every Pakistani is saddened and grieved over his death.”
Is it??!!
Sad that Pakistani are crying over a cold killer. Moral axis of Pakistanis will always stay wrong. Denial will eventually lead to doom for this failed nation.
I am a Pakistani and I fully support a just and transparent prosecution of Bangladesh war criminals. I don't know why Chaudhari Nisar is saying that all Pakistanis are saddened. He may be sad, not all. I agree with our Foreign Office's measured response. It's their internal matter and we have no right to intervene with their justice system.
I think right hand does not know what left hand is doing.. making a terrorist a martry is common practice in our country.
It is simple. If Mr.Molla was really involved in killings of innocent people, then justice has been done. If he was only taken out due to the vindictive nature of Ms.Haseena, than she will face justice in front of the One with Ultimate Authority...sooner or later.
Yep, this is an internal matter of Bangladesh. We have no right to say anything, Nisar's comments were incredibly immature. We had our chance to work with them before 71 and we screwed that up big time. Now its time for them to govern themselves without our intervention and pass justice as they wish.