BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia can take part in politics, but she is barred from contesting in the next general election because of her conviction for corruption, Law Minister Anisul Huq said on Sunday. The government will not interfere in her doing politics, the minister said adding “Whether she will do politics or not, it’s her personal matter.” The minister was talking to reporters after attending an orientation course held at Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in the city. “The constitution states that any person who has been sentenced to two years of imprisonment cannot participate in the elections. There is nothing new to say,” said Anisul. Read more: BNP demands unconditional release of Khaleda The BNP leader has been convicted of cases of corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust and sentenced to 10 years in jail. In another corruption case involving Zia Charitable Trust she has been given seven years of imprisonment. Her sentences have been suspended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on humanitarian grounds because of her poor health.

Law Minister Anisul Huq Sunday said the Data Protection Act 2022 aims to protect data, not to control it. "Work is going on to bring the best balance between the protection of rights and the protection of data. Data protection law should be independent and separated," he added. The minister was addressing a consultation workshop on the Data Protection Act 2022, organised by the ICT Division and held in a hybrid format. State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said: "The law is created for protecting our citizen's data, not to control the information." Read: Child marriage: Bagerhat parents, kazi get 6-month imprisonment "While formulating the law, the similar laws of EU (GDPR), Brazil, South Africa, Canada, US (California) were closely observed and followed," he added. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said: "The law attempts to complement Bangladesh's national priorities in development." "The government wishes to connect the markets and the factors of production to global supply chains in an orderly and safe environment," he added. Representatives from both Bangladesh missions abroad and the missions in Dhaka and dignitaries from different organisations also joined the workshop.