Dhaka, Sept 2 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia can be freed from jail either by the court or through presidential clemency.

“The government has nothing to do with it…she (Khaleda) has either to go to court or seek clemency from the President,” Hasina said replying to a question over BNP’s demand for Khaleda’s release.    

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban over the outcomes of her just-concluded visit to Nepal for attending the 4th Bimstec summit.

On Saturday, BNP leaders at a rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office demanded the government release their chairperson Khaleda Zia to ensure the party’s participation in the next polls.  

About Rohingya issue, the Prime Minister said Myanmar has committed a horrible thing by carrying out falsehood releasing fake photos in social media over Rohinga issue.

“They’ve committed a terrible work. They’ve tarnished their own image with this,” she said.   

The Prime Minister visited Nepal on August 30 and 31 to attend the two-day summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec), a seven-nation economic bloc of the South Asia and South East Asia.

The seven Bimstec member states are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Dhaka, Sept 2 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said there is no doubt that the next general election will be held in a free and fair manner.

“There’s no doubt the election will be free and neutral… we’re not here to rig votes,” she said while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban.

The press conference was arranged to brief the media about the outcomes of her just-concluded visit to Nepal for attending the 4th Bimstec summit.

“We’re working for people. If people vote us, we’ll be there in power again, otherwise not. I repeatedly said it. I mean what I say,” Hasina said.

The Prime Minister said the election must be held (in time) and no one can resist it. “No one has the capability to foil the election.”   

About BNP’s demand for Khaleda’s release, Hasina said the BNP Chairperson can be freed from jail either by the court or through presidential clemency.

“The government has nothing to do with it…she (Khaleda) has either to go to court or seek clemency from the President,” Hasina said replying to a question.    

On Saturday, BNP leaders at a rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office demanded the government release their chairperson Khaleda Zia to ensure the party’s participation in the next polls.  

The Prime Minister said she will neither take any step for bringing BNP to the election nor obstruct it from joining the polls.

“They (BNP) are saying they won’t join the polls.“It’s their internal party decision whether BNP will take part in it or boycott it. We neither need to invite them nor obstruct them,” she said.

Recalling that the gate of BNP chairperson’s office was shut when she went to meet Khaleda after the death of her son, Hasina said: “On that day, I decided not to sit with them at all. There’s no question of holding discussions with them, no matter who says what, as I have a sense of self-esteem.”

She said her government should have arrested Khaleda Zia when her party was killing people with arson attacks. “But I didn’t arrest her at that time. I had demonstrated tolerance.”

Regarding the unelected polls-time government or caretaker government, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has a bad experience about it. "Once they sit in power, they don't want to leave; we had this experience in our country."

She said Bangladesh will follow the system practised in India and Britain.

"Only during a mid-term election, Parliament dissolved and the election is held within next 90 days of the dissolution of Parliament," she said.

Hasina said this system had been incorporated in the 1972 Constitution of the country and it has been reincorporated in it after the High Court verdict.

As per the constitution, the election will be held after five years generally. Three months before completion of the five-year term, the election will be held, she said.

In the Constitution, Hasina said, it has been made mandatory to sit in sessions of Parliament after every 60 days except the three-month period of the election time.

"Parliament will be there, but not functional. This has been done to ensure the vacuum during the transitional period from one government to another," she said.

About Rohingya issue, the Prime Minister said Myanmar has committed a horrible thing by carrying out falsehood releasing fake photos in social media over Rohinga issue.

“They’ve committed a terrible work. They’ve tarnished their own image with this. They’ve destroyed their position at international stage,” she said.   

She said the same propaganda with fake photos was also carried out by BNP-Jamaat in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in Bangladesh. “My question is whether they (Myanmar) learnt the tactic from our BNP-Jamaat.”    

During the Bimstec summit in Nepal, Hasina said she had talks with the Myanmar President over Rohingya issue and the repatriation agreement signed between the two countries.

Hasina said the Myanmar President told her that they are ready to take back those who want to go back to Myanmar.

The Prime Minister said she never wants confrontational situation with neighboruing country Myanmar.  

She said Myanmar never denies anything, and says it will take back the Rohingyas. “But the reality is it doesn’t act accordingly.” 

Responding to a question about the new government in Pakistan under the leadership of former cricketer Imran Khan, the Prime Minister said he hit many sixes in the field, now it is time to see whether he can hit those sixes remaining in power.

"We’ll be glad…He’s a player, he has the sportsmanship spirit, if he seeks cooperation, we’ll extend that. We’ll do that keeping in mind the general people of that country," Hasina said.

Replying to another question, she said the government has brought the killers of Bangabandhu under the purview of law. "But, the investigation to detect the conspiracy and conspirators was not done… their trial didn’t take place but that should be done."

She also mentioned that there were some research works at the international level about the matter, there’re some reports, too. "Maybe time will come when everything will surface," she said.

The Prime Minister visited Nepal on August 30 and 31 to attend the two-day summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec), a seven-nation economic bloc of the South Asia and South East Asia.

Dhaka, Sept 2 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) should not be imposed hurriedly as the machines need to be introduced on a limited scale in national elections.

“There’s an EVM system in many countries of the world. I was always and still I’m in favour of it. Yes, this is right it shouldn’t be imposed in hastily as it’s a matter of practice. We’ll have to examine it,” she said while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban.

The press conference was arranged to brief the media about the outcomes of her just-concluded visit to Nepal for attending the 4th Bimstec summit.

The Prime Minister said introduction of EVMs is part of the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision as it is a new technology.   

“Well, let it (EVM) be used in some places. Let people examine gradually whether there’s any system loss here (with machines),” she said.

Hasina said if any system loss is found in assessment, the EVM use will be cancelled. “This not final words (EVM must be introduced). There’s nothing to raise so much of objections here. Let’s start using the technology on a limited scale.”  

Noting that BNP is very much vocal against EVM, she said BNP does not want the EVM as they will not be able to apply their vote-rigging technique with the machines.

“They know a good rigging technique…. we’re yet to discover it,” she said adding that even election observers could not find out their technique.  

Explaining the justification behind the EVM use, Hasina said now people doing their money transactions online, buying sacrificial animals, foodstuff and all other things online.

She said money is the most important thing to people, which they can send online. “If you can trust money transaction online why can’t you trust it (EVM)?”

Hasina said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed her that India developed software so that people can cast their votes using mobile phones from any place across the world. They will not require going to polling stations to exercise their voting rights, she added.

Dhaka, Sept 1 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said any anarchic activity by the students of public universities is not acceptable at all as they are availing of the education facility with public money.

"Indiscipline is not acceptable, never. All must follow rules, if anyone wants to get education from any public institution he or she has to abide by the rules and regulations of that educational institution and act accordingly. That’s what we want from the students as does the nation," she said. 

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating “7 March Bhaban”, a newly constructed residential building for female students inside Ruqayyah Hall of Dhaka University.

In Bangladesh, she said, a student avail of the higher education probably at the cheapest cost in the world.  "And all the education expenses are borne by the government….100 percent expenses are provided by the government. I don't know whether this exists in any other countries of the world. So, the students must honour this system.”  

Chaired by DU Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, the function was addressed, among others, by Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, University Grants Commission chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Nasreen Ahmad, DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Samad, DU Treasurer Prof Dr M Kamal Uddin and Ruqayyah Hall Provost Prof Dr Jinat Huda.

The 11-stoery ‘7 March Bhaban’ constructed at a cost of Tk 88 crore with all modern facilities.

The Prime Minister reiterated her stance to see the expenses in education as the investment which will be useful for building the country. "The people of the country will be built as good human resources…the teachers will deliver their lessons properly while the students will take that accordingly ….these lessons are not mere academic ones, these will be needed in all spheres of life to develop their lifestyle." 

She asked the students to give special attention to their education so that the positive results of their education can be spread for the mass people of the country.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken an initiative to diversify the education from primary to tertiary levels. For this, the government has formed Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust Fund.

She put emphasis on creating skilled and effective manpower for the trade, commerce and other sectors of the country. "Keeping that view in mind, the government has taken steps to establish universities in all big districts across the country." 

She also mentioned that the government has formed Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Trust giving emphasis on research works because no country can move forward without giving proper attention to research. 

About the Dhaka University, the Prime Minister said all movements that gave something to the country and its people had started from this university. "Dhaka University is the birthplace of all movements that helped achieve the Bengalee nation." 

Recalling the barbaric August 15, 1975 massacre, she said the killing was just to reestablish the anti-liberation force in the country. 

Hasina said Awami League runs the government with an ideal. "Power is not the matter of luxury and enjoyment to me…to me, power is performing of the responsibility given by people," she added.

On her arrival at the stage, Lipi Akter and Sraboni Islam, students of Rokeya Hall, adorned the Prime Minister with “Uttoriyo”.

Students of the Department of Music and Dance performed songs and dances at the function highlighting the Liberation War spirit.

Earlier, the Prime Minister opened the building by unveiling its plaque. She also visited the museum and signed the visitors’ book.

The building, which will accommodate 1,000 students, has a five-storey administrative block, service block and museum.

In its museum, the 7th March speech, rare photographs of the armed struggle of the Bangalees and information regarding the participation and contributions of women to the Liberation War were placed.
 

Dhaka, Sept 1 (UNB)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a press conference on Sunday to brief journalists about the outcomes of her just-concluded visit to Nepal for attending the 4th Bimstec summit.

The press conference will be held at her official residence Ganobhaban at 4:00pm, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.

The Prime Minister visited Nepal on August 30 and 31 to attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec).