Pakistan rejects Indian media claims of involvement in Bangladesh political crisis

​​​​​​​By Muhammet Nazim Tasci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Pakistan dismissed Indian media allegations that Islamabad influenced the resignation of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, asserting his country’s non-involvement.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch firmly denied claims in a news conference that Pakistani intelligence agencies were involved in the political crisis leading to Hasina’s resignation.

Baloch criticized the habitual blaming of Pakistan by Indian media and stressed his country has no connection to the internal matters of Bangladesh.

He highlighted the positive relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh, expressing solidarity with the Bangladeshi people and hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing unrest in that country.

Weeks of protests since last month resulted in the fall of Hasina's 15-year rule. Four hundred people were killed in the student protests against a government public jobs quota.

After Hasina resigned Monday, Bangladesh Army chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman announced the formation of a transitional government.

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament Tuesday, which was elected in January when Hasina became prime minister for a fourth time.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office Thursday to lead a 17-member transitional administration in Bangladesh.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has demanded a national election within three months to hand power to the people’s representatives.