Bangladesh News

Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said yesterday that the procedures for the release of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia are at their final stages.

Dr Hossain Zillur also said that the government would hold both formal and informal talks with political parties regarding holding of the national election under the state of emergency.

“I can let you know that the release of Khaleda Zia is at the final stages,” said Zillur, an adviser often regarded as the spokesperson of the caretaker government.

He was replying to questions by reporters after a workshop in city’s LGED conference hall yesterday.

The education adviser, one of the government’s key negotiator with political parties and other stakeholders, have been saying for some time now that the government is working on the release of Khaleda Zia and her sons — Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko.

Koko was released for two months on an executive order from the government on July 17 but there has been no tangible development with regard to the release of Khaleda or Tarique.

In reply to a question about what the government would do regarding the fact that none of the political parties were willing to participate in polls under a state of emergency, the advisor said, “the caretaker government would sit for a second round of dialogue with political parties.”

He said he was very optimistic about a positive outcome of talks with the political parties and that the government would be able to arrive at the right decision on the matter in good time.

Earlier on July 11, the government released Awami League President Sheikh Hasina for two months on an executive order to facilitate her treatment in the USA.

Khaleda Zia was arrested on September 3 last year in connection with Gatco graft case. Later several other cases were filed against her.