Allowing Hasina to Speak to Media in India Unexpected: Adviser

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today spoke at the weekly press briefing at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID).

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today criticised India for allowing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is staying there, to speak to and give interviews to media outlets, describing the move as “highly unexpected and irritating.”

“To maintain a positive atmosphere in relations between Bangladesh and India, the Indian government should stop her from making such statements while staying there. The Bangladesh government has already strongly protested in this regard,” he said.

The adviser made the remarks while responding to a question at the weekly press briefing on contemporary affairs at the conference room of the Press Information Department at the Secretariat.

Reiterating the government’s firm stance on bringing Hasina back to Bangladesh, Zahed said the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal has confirmed that she has no further opportunity to appeal.

“The government’s goal now is to repatriate her and execute the sentence in accordance with the court verdict,” he said.

He also urged journalists to raise the issue with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka so that New Delhi sends a positive signal toward improving bilateral relations by preventing Hasina from speaking to the media.

Strongly condemning the attack on actress Azmeri Haque Badhon abroad, Zahed said the Awami League was “not a normal political party but a mafia gang” and alleged that there was no remorse among its members.

He said legal action against those involved in the incident had already begun and the government would not spare anyone responsible.

Responding to another question about increasing the weight of viva voce examinations in government recruitment for grades 11 to 20, the adviser said the decision was not intended to serve any special purpose or create discrimination.

“Rather, the government has introduced the change to ensure skilled and qualified administrative manpower,” he said.

Regarding the planned purchase of new Boeing aircraft, Zahed said the government would not have to make the payment at once. Instead, the cost would be paid in phases over a long period, he said.

He added that the government was also considering purchasing aircraft from European manufacturer Airbus in the future, depending on its needs.

On the LNG terminal issue, Zahed said that despite having one and a half years during the interim government’s tenure, no far-reaching decision had been taken regarding the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) or alternative energy management.

As a result, the current government has had to take urgent measures, including reaching an agreement with China, to ease the temporary energy crisis as quickly as possible, he said.

Referring to concerns over a possible prolonged El Niño weather pattern worldwide, the adviser said food production could be disrupted by the adverse impacts of climate change.

However, he said Bangladesh currently has the highest food stock in its history.

“Coordination is being carried out among all relevant ministries to deal with any possible food crisis,” he added.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting KM Abdul Wadud and Deputy Principal Information Officer Fakhrul Islam were present at the briefing.