General amnesty for fake freedom fighters if they apologise: Adviser Farooq-e-Azam

Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam today (11 December) said fake freedom fighters will get general amnesty if they apologise, or else, action will be taken against them for fraudulence.

"There are allegations that fake freedom fighters have been included in the gazetted list and have long been enjoying benefits. This is not a small crime in any way … it's a serious crime," he told a press conference at his ministry's conference room.

Mentioning an ongoing court case regarding the cancellation of certificates of 2,111 people who claimed to be freedom fighters, the adviser said, "Once the court decides, we will cancel these certificates and arrange for punishment." 

"If we can define the verification process for other cases and identify fake fighters, similar actions will be taken against them. They should face exemplary punishment. Hopefully, we will establish an effective system for this soon," the adviser said.

Farooq-e-Azam mentioned that there are many lists of freedom fighters -- blue, red, Indian, and in many cases, it is seen that many people have been made freedom fighters here out of 'passion' or because of someone's kinship or some other temptation. "We'll detect, but it may take some time."

The adviser stressed the importance of protecting the dignity of genuine freedom fighters. "We will not allow their dignity to be tarnished. Completing this task while safeguarding their legacy is a challenge, but we are determined to do it."

He said the government may allow an indemnity so that those who are not freedom fighters may step aside on their own. "If they do, they may even get a general amnesty. And if that doesn't happen, we will accuse them of fraud, as we said."