News Desk

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has described India’s allowing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India, to speak to media outlets as “highly unexpected and irritating”, urging New Delhi to prevent her from making statements that could affect relations between the two neighbouring countries.

“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 questions from journalists at the weekly press briefing on contemporary affairs held at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Dr Zahed reiterated the interim government’s firm position on bringing Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh, saying the government’s next objective is to ensure her repatriation and implement the court verdict against her.

Referring to the proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), he said the tribunal’s chief prosecutor has confirmed that Sheikh Hasina has no further opportunity to appeal. The government, he added, is now focused on bringing her back to the country to execute the sentence handed down by the court.

The adviser also urged journalists to raise the issue with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, saying such questions could encourage the Indian government to send a positive signal by preventing Sheikh Hasina from giving interviews or making public statements while in India.

On another issue, Dr Zahed strongly condemned the reported attack on actress Azmeri Haque Badhon while she was abroad. Criticizing the Awami League, he said the party could not be considered a “normal political party” and alleged that it functions like a “mafia gang”.

He further alleged that there was no minimum level of regret among those associated with the Awami League over the incident. The government has already begun the process of taking legal action against those involved, he said, warning that no one responsible would be spared.

Responding to a question about the government’s decision to increase the weight of viva-voce examinations in recruitment to government jobs in grades 11 to 20, the adviser said the move was not intended to favour any particular group or create discrimination.

“This is not for any special purpose or to create discrimination, but the government has brought this change to ensure skilled and qualified administrative manpower,” he said.

Regarding the planned purchase of new Boeing aircraft, Dr Zahed said the government would not be required to make the payment in a single instalment. Instead, the cost would be paid in phases over a long period, he explained.

He also said the government was considering purchasing aircraft from Airbus, the European aerospace company, in the future depending on the country’s requirements.

Discussing the energy situation, the adviser said the interim government had around one and a half years to take a long-term decision regarding the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) LNG terminal or alternative energy management, but no far-reaching decision had been taken.

As a result, the current government has been compelled to take urgent measures to address the temporary energy crisis, including reaching an agreement with China, he said.

Dr Zahed also expressed concern over the possibility of a prolonged El Niño-related weather pattern and its potential impact on global food production. Climate change and adverse weather conditions could disrupt food production in different parts of the world, he warned.

However, he said Bangladesh currently has the highest level of food stock in its history. The government is coordinating with all relevant ministries to prepare for 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 press briefing.