Pakistan won't interfere in war trial: Bangladesh Law Minister

Dhaka, Apr.6 (ANI): Pakistan will not interfere in the Bangladesh government's move to try the war criminals of 1971, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said Tuesday.

Islamabad will not launch any campaign against the initiative to hold the trial of those committed crimes during the Liberation War, the Daily Star, quoted the law minister, as saying.

"Pakistan has changed its position about holding the trial of the war criminals," Shafique told reporters after a meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ashraf Qureshi at his secretariat office in the afternoon.

Emerging from the meeting, the Pakistan envoy also told the newsmen that holding trial of the war criminals is an "internal affair of Bangladesh."

"Bangladesh is a sovereign country. Pakistan believes in its sovereignty. So, it will not interfere into these internal affairs of Bangladesh," Qureshi said.

The law minister said there is no confusion over holding the trial of the war crimes and the crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of the country.

The trial will be held under the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, which covers the trial of both offences including crimes against humanity and peace, genocide, looting and arson.

The government has not changed its stance about holding the trial of the war criminals, the minister added.(ANI)