National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nahid Islam on Friday said that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina would return to Bangladesh only for the execution of a death sentence verdict against her.

He made the remarks while addressing an event organised by the National SME Foundation marking International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day 2026 at the Diploma Engineers Institute in the capital's Kakrail. The programme featured an award ceremony and discussion session honouring successful small entrepreneurs.

Govt must implement referendum verdict to prove its commitment to July uprising: Nahid Islam

Speaking as the chief guest, Nahid Islam said, "Today we watched an interview where someone said that they are planning to return to the country in December. Our demand is that the country has already suffered from 16 years of destruction. Now we also want her to return, to face the execution of the death sentence verdict."

He said a verdict has already been delivered in Bangladesh and the government should bring back the "perpetrator of genocide" through proper diplomatic and legal processes and execute the verdict.

Replying to journalists after the event, Nahid said it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to decide how Sheikh Hasina will return, who she will come with, and whether she will surrender.

"The Bangladesh government will discuss the matter with Delhi. There is no other party involved here. The government will decide when and how to bring her back and how the verdict will be executed. She must be brought back with all necessary preparations," he said.

Nahid further said Sheikh Hasina's decisions are not solely personal decisions, claiming that she speaks according to what is permitted from Delhi.

"Whether Sheikh Hasina will return or not, how she will return, and whether she will face trial, all these issues depend on the diplomatic and political understanding between Dhaka and Delhi. Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League is no longer a political party," he said.

Saying that participants of the July uprising are prepared to face any situation, Nahid said, "Those who took part in the July mass uprising are politically prepared to deal with any situation. We are ready for any circumstances to protect the country's independence, sovereignty and economy."

He warned that if there is any attempt to create political tension centring on Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League, and if the government supports such efforts, the government itself will suffer the most.

"The people of Bangladesh, all forces involved in the July uprising, around 30,000 injured people and families of 1,400 martyrs — we are all prepared," he said.

Regarding the trial of the Awami League, Nahid said the government is considering bringing the party as an organisation under judicial proceedings.

"We believe this is the right path. The verdict against Sheikh Hasina has already been delivered. Now it has to be executed. If Sheikh Hasina returns to the country, she will return only for the execution of the death sentence verdict. Therefore, we also want the verdict to be implemented," he said.

Entrepreneurs from across the country attended the event, where officials of different organisations and entrepreneurs also delivered speeches.