Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman has accused BNP of spreading lies about the newly-implemented US visa policy.

The US State Department last month announced that the US government is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

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Referring to the implementation of US visa policy, which was first announced in May, Salman F Rahman said: "The use of the word ‘sanction’ is a misrepresentation (of the US visa policy). Sanctions were only imposed on RAB once, and we are taking steps that are required to be taken as per the law. The relationship between Bangladesh and the US remains intact despite the sanctions on RAB. Our business is continuing as usual."

The PM’s adviser made the remarks while replying to a question from journalists after an event held at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday.

The event – 'Circular Economy: Towards a New Destination for Sustainability' – was organised by the CSR Centre on the occasion of the release of the CSR report.

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Salman also clarified that what BNP leaders and activists perceive as a sanction is, in reality, a visa restriction which will be enforced against those who would disrupt free, fair, and equitable elections.

"The government and the Election Commission have been working diligently to hold a fair, free and fair election in the country as per the constitution,” said Salman. “If you look at how they are promoting EU’s concern and the US visa policy on YouTube, it seems that the visa ban has only been given against us (Awami League).”

The US authorities have repeatedly said the visa policy is not against any particular political party, added the PM’s adviser.

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Salman also warned everyone to stay aware of BNP’s “propaganda activities” surrounding the US visa policy.

"If the United States deems it necessary, it can implement visa restrictions in accordance with its own laws and regulations. They have a well-established system and will act accordingly,” he said.

 “If I have no intention of visiting their country, there's no question of a ban. Various entities, including BNP, are spreading false information about this visa restriction through social media to sow instability in the country."