War crimes may top Hasina-Gillani talks

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will meet her Pakistan counterpart Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 16th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, officials say.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that the two prime ministers would discuss the trial of war criminals – in addition to trade and other bilateral issues.

Foreign secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes told bdnews24.com on Monday night that the two leaders would meet at 5.15 pm local time..

The prime minister’s meeting with Gilani is seen as particularly significant against the backdrop of the government’s initiative to try those who are alleged to have collaborated with the occupation Pakistan forces during Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971.

Hasina is also scheduled to see her Indian counterpart though the time and venue for the meeting is yet be fixed.

Sheikh Hasina landed at Bhutan’s Paro airport at around 7.40 am Tuesday, Bangladesh mission officials told bdnews24.com .

She was given a guard of honour at the airport and escorted to the SAARC village in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.

She will deliver speeches in the opening and concluding sessions of the SAARC summit on April 28 and 29.