Punished for patriotism: JI to move resolution against BD verdicts
Many leaders of the JI have been sentenced for supporting Pakistan army during 1971.
Bangladeshi social activists shout slogans in Dhaka on September 17, 2013, after a verdict was delivered against Abdul Quader Molla, the fourth-highest leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Jamaat-e- Islami (JI) in Pakistan is likely to submit a resolution during the current session of the lower house to condemn the sentences passed against JI leadership in Bangladesh.
Many leaders of the JI Bangladesh have been sentenced by an International Crimes Tribunal setup by ruling Awami League (AL) led government for supporting Pakistan army during 1971 and their alleged role in war crimes.
The JI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Sahibzada Mohammad Yaqub Khan from NA-34 Lower Dir is going to move a condemnation resolution next week against sentencing of the Islamic outfit’s Bangladesh leaders for supporting Pakistan and its army during 1971 war, said a statement.
The resolution would demand the government to take up the issue with Bangladesh government through diplomatic channels and exert its pressure to end convictions of the JI and other parties’ leaders, “as these leaders are being punished for their loyalty to Pakistan,” the statement said.
The mover of the proposed resolution Yaqub Khan told The Express Tribune that it was likely to be tabled in NA on Monday or Tuesday.
“The aged leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh are being punished for helping Pakistan during 1971 war. It is the obligation of Pakistan government to help these leaders and take a stand on this issue,” he added.
“It is a condemnation resolution,” he said, adding that his party was also in contact with other parties to garner support for the resolution and would also talk to the treasury benches to get their nod.
Senior leaders of the JI Bangladesh including its former Amir Professor Ghulam Azam, Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Abdul Qader Mullah have been sentenced by the tribunal formed by the AL-led government.
AL had won the 1970 general elections held during the martial law of General Yahya Khan but Pakistan Peoples Party under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto opposed transferring power to the eastern wing of the country. This led to wide spread protests in the then East Pakistan followed by military crackdown and war with India the surrender of Pakistan Army in December 1971 and finally the birth of Bangladesh.
Independent historians accuse AL of committing organised massacre of thousands of non-Bengalis through its militant outfit Mukti Bahini during 1970-71 and after the birth of Bangladesh.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2013.
Jamaat-e- Islami (JI) in Pakistan is likely to submit a resolution during the current session of the lower house to condemn the sentences passed against JI leadership in Bangladesh.
Many leaders of the JI Bangladesh have been sentenced by an International Crimes Tribunal setup by ruling Awami League (AL) led government for supporting Pakistan army during 1971 and their alleged role in war crimes.
The JI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Sahibzada Mohammad Yaqub Khan from NA-34 Lower Dir is going to move a condemnation resolution next week against sentencing of the Islamic outfit’s Bangladesh leaders for supporting Pakistan and its army during 1971 war, said a statement.
The resolution would demand the government to take up the issue with Bangladesh government through diplomatic channels and exert its pressure to end convictions of the JI and other parties’ leaders, “as these leaders are being punished for their loyalty to Pakistan,” the statement said.
The mover of the proposed resolution Yaqub Khan told The Express Tribune that it was likely to be tabled in NA on Monday or Tuesday.
“The aged leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh are being punished for helping Pakistan during 1971 war. It is the obligation of Pakistan government to help these leaders and take a stand on this issue,” he added.
“It is a condemnation resolution,” he said, adding that his party was also in contact with other parties to garner support for the resolution and would also talk to the treasury benches to get their nod.
Senior leaders of the JI Bangladesh including its former Amir Professor Ghulam Azam, Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Abdul Qader Mullah have been sentenced by the tribunal formed by the AL-led government.
AL had won the 1970 general elections held during the martial law of General Yahya Khan but Pakistan Peoples Party under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto opposed transferring power to the eastern wing of the country. This led to wide spread protests in the then East Pakistan followed by military crackdown and war with India the surrender of Pakistan Army in December 1971 and finally the birth of Bangladesh.
Independent historians accuse AL of committing organised massacre of thousands of non-Bengalis through its militant outfit Mukti Bahini during 1970-71 and after the birth of Bangladesh.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2013.