United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the government has been trying from the very beginning to bring former prime minister Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh to ensure justice and has formally requested India to extradite her. "We have been trying to bring her back. If she returns, we will welcome her because we want to ensure justice," he said while responding to questions from journalists at the weekly briefing on the government's activities at Secretariat. Responding to another question he said the restriction on broadcasting Hasina's statements in the media is not a policy decision of the government but an order issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which the government is constitutionally bound to implement. He said the government has been making efforts to extradite her and believes the judicial process should determine her fate. "She has been sentenced to death. If we can bring her back through extradition, that is exactly what we are trying to do," he said. If she returns through mutual communication between the two countries, she will face the cases pending against her, said Dr Zahed. The adviser said Sheikh Hasina would have every opportunity to defend herself through a transparent judicial process. "There is now scope for engaging foreign lawyers in the International Crimes Tribunal. She may appoint the best lawyers in the world to defend her. International observers can monitor the proceedings, video recording facilities are available," he said. Zahed said as many people in the country expect the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina to be upheld and carried out the government remains committed to allowing the court to decide the matter independently. “We believe she has caused immense damage to the state, yet we still want her to receive justice through due process," he said. Responding to a question on whether Sheikh Hasina's return could create geopolitical complications, Dr. Zahed said he did not believe the issue carried significant geopolitical implications. He also claimed that Sheikh Hasina no longer has a political future in Bangladesh. He further noted that the current government, like the previous interim government  has formally requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, saying there was no reason for the government to feel pressured if she returned. "Yesterday the State Minister for Foreign Affairs said this government has also sought Sheikh Hasina's extradition from India. Therefore, there is no question of any pressure regarding this issue," he said. Asked how her return would be managed if India agreed to extradite her, Zahed said the procedural aspects would be handled through discussions between the two countries. "I do not know exactly how or when she will return and that depends on the procedures between the two states. If she wants to return, the country where she is staying will communicate with our government and the necessary arrangements will be made. These are procedural matters and will not become obstacles,” he said “The government's policy position is to bring her back and place her under the jurisdiction of justice. Naturally, if she wants to return, the government will facilitate that process," he added.

The government is planning to announce the election schedule for local government polls in the second half of August and begin Union Parishad (UP) elections in the first half of October, said Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday. The adviser came up with the announcement  at a press briefing at the conference room of Press Information Department (PID) at Secretariat on the progress of the government's activities. The Election Commission (EC) has prepared preliminary roadmaps for separate local government elections including Union Parishads, Upazila Parishads, municipalities and city corporations. “These are expected to be finalised and published by the end of this month," he said. The local government elections will be conducted in phases across four geographical zones—haor and northeastern region, hill and coastal areas, riverine and char regions, and plain and urban areas, he said. The election process will begin with Union Parishad polls in the haor and northeastern regions, said Dr Zahed. Elections require considerable preparation and that the government prefers to hold most polls during the dry winter season, he added. Clarifying the expected timeline for completing the entire local government election process, the adviser said, "The elections are expected to begin in October. Once the process starts, it usually takes 10 to 12 months to complete all phases. This does not mean the elections will finish within 10 to 12 months from now, but rather within 10 to 12 months from the start of polling," he said. If the elections begin in October this year, the entire local government election process is expected to be completed by around October 2027, he added.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday described National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam’s remarks over the bomb blast during the party’s rally in Savar as “political”. He made the remarks while responding to questions at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at Secretariat. When asked about Nahid Islam’s allegation that at the bomb attack on the NCP rally was carried out with the support of the administration, Zahed Ur Rahman said,Yesterday’s incident was very unfortunate. We condemn it. The government’s main responsibility is to investigate who were involved in the incident and bring them to justice.” Referring to Nahid’s statement, the adviser said, “There is a term called political statement and he has made such a statement. He has the right to say that.” However, he said, “We expect a more responsible statement from the head of a political party who played a very important role in our mass uprising.” Responding to a question on why no one has been arrested yet in connection with the incident, Zahed said the government is investigating the matter and efforts are underway to arrest those involved. “The incident has not even been 24 hours old. It is not always possible to complete such a process immediately. The government is making its best efforts to make arrests, and hopefully it will happen soon,” he said.  “The important issue is whether the government is taking the matter seriously and taking necessary measures. I can confirm that this government is doing so,” he said.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the decision on whether Awami League will be banned as a political party rests with the courts and the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The party’s status would depend on the outcome of legal proceedings over allegations of crimes against humanity, he said at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities at PID conference room at Secretariat. Responding to a question about political activities surrounding the founding anniversary of the Awami League, whose activities are currently prohibited, and the deployment of the army in six districts, Zahed said there is often confusion regarding the party’s legal status. The adviser said that until the judicial process is completed the party’s activities will remain prohibited under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. “As long as the legal proceedings continue, their activities will remain banned. Therefore, any programme undertaken by the party would constitute a violation of the law and it is natural for the government to take action in such cases,” he said. About the deployment of the army, he said he personally did not believe that Awami League had the moral courage to undertake any significant action. “To do something significant, one needs moral courage. I do not think the Awami League possesses that kind of moral courage,” he said. Referring to the mass uprising in July, Zahed said people were able to stand in front of guns despite risks to their lives because they believed in their cause and wanted positive change for the country.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said individuals associated with Awami League can participate in the upcoming local government elections, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and do not campaign on behalf of the party. He made the remarks when asked whether the government would allow Awami League (now facing ban on its activities) to take part in the upcoming local government elections at a press conference held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at Secretariat on the progress of various government activities. Dr. Zahed said there would be no obstacle to individuals contesting the polls as the elections would be conducted on a non-party basis. “There is no problem at all. If a person wants to participate in the election and fulfils the required criteria, he or she can contest,” he said. Replying to a question about candidates who may still hold positions in Awami League, the adviser said as the party’s organisational activities remain banned such positions cannot be used in any official or political capacity. “Since organisational activities of the Awami League are prohibited, those positions cannot be used. However, as individuals, anyone who fulfils the necessary criteria and wishes to contest the election may do so,” he said. He said the government has no reason to prevent any eligible individual from participating in the local government elections.  

The local government elections will begin at the end of the current year, said Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday. “The election will start at the end of the year. Some preparations are needed which have already been communicated by the concerned ministry,” he said while responding to questions at a press briefing at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat. Replying to a question the adviser said the whole election process is expected to take between 10 months to a year after it begins. Responding to another question whether the government plans to abolish Upazila Parishad following the allocation of office space for MPs at Upazila Parishad office, the adviser said no such decision has been taken yet. Referring to legal provisions, the adviser said under Section 25 of the Upazila Parishad Act, MPs are legally advisers to Upazila Parishad.  “If he is there legally, some may argue whether that position should exist at all — whether an MP should serve as an adviser is a separate debate. But providing an office does not make the situation worse in any way. If we follow that line of reasoning, since an MP is an adviser to the Upazila Parishad, it is only logical that they would have an office there. As I said, there is public debate on whether MPs should hold such advisory roles,” he said. The government has no intention of weakening or diminishing the role of Upazila Parishad through such measures, he noted.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting  Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said transport fares will be rationally fixed in line with the recent increase in fuel prices. He made the remarks at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities at the Press Information Department conference room at Secretariat. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury was present. “As fuel prices have increased discussions are ongoing to adjust transport fares accordingly. We hope the fares will be set at a reasonable level,” he said. To ease complexities, fares of air-conditioned buses may be fixed in two or three tiers which is expected to be implemented ahead of the upcoming Eid, he added. He said freight charges especially for trucks would have a greater impact on the overall cost of living than bus fares. “The government’s responsibility is not only to protect consumers. It must be remembered that a government also represents businesspeople. Those who drive buses and trucks are also citizens of this country and this government is theirs as well. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to impose measures on them that would make their businesses unviable,” he said. “The government does not favour any particular group; it is a government for all. It will try to reach a point where the least harm is caused to everyone. As I mentioned before, in this crisis, all of us will have to bear some loss. This is happening all over the world,” he added. Citing an example, he said even a small increase in the price of essentials like eggs could significantly affect low-income families, forcing difficult choices. To support such groups, the government plans to expand assistance programmes, he added. Besides, more people will be brought under assistance programmes through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), he said. The adviser also announced a plan to launch eight night markets in Dhaka to relocate street vendors and keep footpath free for pedestrians. “Footpaths are meant for walking, not for business. However, considering the current situation, efforts are being made to provide alternative arrangements for hawkers,” he said. Dr Zahed said the pilot expansion of the ‘Fuel Pass BD’ app has been extended beyond Dhaka to several districts for motorcycle registration. “Although registration has been completed, fuel collection is not yet available everywhere. Registered users can currently collect fuel from designated stations in Dhaka,” he said adding that over 170,000 registrations have been completed so far.  

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed  Ur Rahman on Wednesday said the government may consider adjusting fuel prices if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East prolongs and worsens. “It is not certain yet. The situation in the Middle East could deteriorate or it could improve through negotiations. Tensions involving shipping routes and Iran could negatively impact the global energy market if the situation persists for a prolonged period. If this continues for long, it will be difficult to maintain subsidies indefinitely,” he told reporters at the conference room of the Department of Information at Secretariat. Any decision on fuel price adjustment would depend on the evolving global situation, he added. Clarifying that there will be no fuel price hike in April, the adviser said, “We have already said that if the situation continues, some adjustment in prices may be necessary. I am saying it may be necessary — not that it will definitely happen,” he said, urging the media not to misinterpret his remarks. The adviser said temporary disruptions at the country’s only state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited, have created some pressure. The refinery typically supplies around 25 percent of the country’s fuel demand, particularly petrol and octane. “The delayed arrival of a 1,00,000-ton fuel shipment from Saudi Arabia has further strained the situation. Another shipment is expected to arrive in early May,” he said. The government has taken measures by increasing imports of refined fuel and building up reserves to address any potential crisis. The issue has also been discussed in a high-level meeting with the Prime Minister, he noted. Acknowledging the signs of strain at the consumer level with long queues seen at petrol pumps in Dhaka and other areas,  Dr Zahed  said vehicles were seen purchasing fuel multiple times or in excess of their immediate needs, adding pressure to the supply system. He said that although supply to petrol pumps has not been reduced stocks are depleting quickly due to unusually high demand. Detailed pump-wise supply data will be published soon, he added.