• “Pakistan rejects all such statements,” says Mumtaz Zahra Baloch. 
• “Such statements depict India’s disturbing obsession with Pakistan.”
• FO spox says Pakistan has positive relations with Bangladesh.
  

The Foreign Office has rejected all speculations regarding the purported involvement of Pakistan in the recent unrest in Bangladesh that forced the country’s longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina Wazed to step down and flee the country. 

“Pakistan rejects all such statements. Such statements depict India’s disturbing obsession with Pakistan. Indian political leaders and their media have a habit of blaming Pakistan for their failures in domestic and foreign policy,” FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Friday.

The remark came in response to a question regarding the commentary on Indian media regarding Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the situation in the South Asian country.

Bangladesh witnessed one of the deadliest turmoil in its history when millions of students took to the streets, initially seeking the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs and later an apology and resignation from the then-prime minister.

As the protests grew lethal and intense, Hasina stepped down and fled the country and took shelter in India. Later, the country’s army announced the formation of a new interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as per students’ demand.

At least 300 people were killed in weeks of deadly protests that ended the her rule after 15 long years.

“Pakistan has expressed its strong support for the people of Bangladesh and solidarity with them as they continue to work towards a harmonious future,” Baloch said in today’s press briefing.

The FO spokesperson stated that Pakistan has positive relations with Bangladesh, which have continued to grow over the last several years.

“With regards to the recent developments in Bangladesh, we have issued a statement. The government and people of Pakistan have expressed their support and solidarity with the people of Bangladesh.

“We sincerely hope for a peaceful and swift return to normalcy. We are confident that the resilient spirit and unity of the Bangladeshi people will lead them towards a harmonious future,” the spokesperson added.

She further stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended falicitations to the chief adviser of the new caretaker setup in Bangladesh and wished him success.

Baloch said that the premier also expressed the desire to work with Yunus to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the days ahead.

Earlier this week, Pakistan extended solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, wishing for peace and normalcy in their state of affairs.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said: “The Government and people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, sincerely hoping for a peaceful and swift return to normalcy.”

The FO added that Pakistan is confident that the “resilient spirit and unity of the Bangladeshi people” will lead them towards a “harmonious future”.