Bangladesh News

Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff yesterday dismissed speculations about a national government, saying categorically that formation of such a government is not possible under the country’s Constitution.

“I don’t know anything about formation of a national government,” he told reporters replying to a query during his weekly briefing at the land ministry.

The law adviser’s comment came against the backdrop of discussions in public spheres over the past few months for and against forming a national government, especially at the political forums and in the media.

“I cannot put interpretation on any speculation and do not even feel to do so. People have freedom, they can say it,” he said.

Asked whether it is possible to introduce national government under the Constitution, Hassan Ariff replied in the negative adding, “How would it be possible if there is no such provision in the Constitution?”

On whether he would oppose any move to form such a government, he declined to comment on any hypothesis saying, “I don’t know about any such move.”

On whether the government would remove the inconsistencies in the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) as pointed out in Wednesday’s High Court (HC) judgment on Sheikh Hasina’s writ petition in an extortion case, he said it depends on the Appellate Division judgment on government appeal against the HC verdict.

The law adviser, however, declined to comment further saying comment is not permissible since the matter is pending with the court.

Asked what action will be taken against the persons responsible for bringing the extortion case under the ambit of EPR, Hassan Ariff said, “The court has jurisdiction to say whether there is negligence on the part of anyone, and can comment on it. It can’t be contemplated in advance.”

On government steps if the court does not give instruction in this regard, he said, “It’ll have to be looked into later.”

When reporters asked about the future of other graft cases brought under the EPR, he said that the Appellate Division verdict on government appeal against Wednesday’s HC judgement would be applicable to all other similar cases.

Reacting to Supreme Court lawyers’ remarks dubbing the Appellate Division “stay division,” the former attorney general said, “It’s contemptuous.”

On lifting of the state of emergency by March as demanded by the chief election commissioner for holding local government elections, Hassan Ariff said the restrictions on bringing out processions, holding meetings and indoor politics under the EPR should go for creating a congenial atmosphere needed to hold the polls.

“It’s obvious that you need to create a congenial environment, along with other conditions, to initiate electoral process,” he added.

Asked for a specific timeframe for lifting of the state of emergency, the law adviser said it is not possible for him to give a timeframe, as it needs to come from a consensus decision of the government.

To whether inclusion of the law secretary in the Supreme Judicial Commission would secure an authority of the executive in recommending candidates as judges, Hassan Ariff said, “There is not the least possibility.”

PROBE INTO HAJJ MISMANAGEMENT
The government has launched investigation into the hajj mismanagement to stop harassment of the hajj pilgrims, the law adviser said. “If needed, assistance of the taskforce will be sought,” he added.

Mentioning the “indescribable sufferings” of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, Hassan Ariff said there are allegations of non-cooperation and misbehaviour from the Bangladesh hajj mission.