DU VC for cutting ties with Pakistan

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique today urged the government to sever all diplomatic ties with Pakistan for interfering in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs like war crimes trial.

“Pakistani attack on Bangalees in 1971 was against the world’s civilisation. Its statement over the ongoing trial of the war criminals is blatant interference in our domestic affairs,” Arefin Siddique said.

Pakistan yesterday summoned the acting high commissioner of Bangladesh and denied committing any war crimes or atrocities during the 1971 war of independence. It has also rejected as ‘baseless and unfounded assertions’ of Bangladesh against Pakistan.

“After this, there is no scope to maintain diplomatic relation with Pakistan and our government should sever all diplomatic ties with the country,” he made the demand after paying tributes to the Shikha Onirban at the start of the victory month of December early today.

The government should appeal to the United Nations to cancel Pakistan’s membership as the country’s stance is against the spirit of the organisation.

The VC also urged the government to raise its voices to scrap membership of Pakistan from the Saarc.

Responding to a query, he said, “We today announced that we will not send any student representatives from our university to visit Pakistan until the country makes apology for its remarks over the war crimes trial.”

When asked if any representative of Pakistan wants to visit DU, the VC said, “We will consider (if any request comes).”