United News of Bangladesh

The government will take necessary action against any media outlet that publishes or broadcasts speeches by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in violation of a court order, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday. "The government earlier issued an advisory for the media in this regard. If any media outlet announces in advance that Sheikh Hasina will deliver a speech and then publishes or broadcasts it, it will amount to defying the court order," he said at a press briefing held at the Secretariat. He said the government would once again remind all media outlets to refrain from such activities, stressing that complying with court directives is the responsibility of every individual and institution. "The government's responsibility is to ensure implementation of the court's decisions," he added. Expressing his personal opinion, the adviser said he would not have supported restricting the broadcast of Hasina's speeches had there been no court order. "If anyone disagrees with the court's order, they have the right to challenge it before the court. But as long as the order remains in force, everyone must comply with it," he said. Replying to a question on why the government came to know about former IGP Benazir Ahmed's bail two to three days after it was granted, Zahed said he was not confirmed about the matter and could not provide an immediate explanation. Responding to another question on whether the previous government's influence still exists in the administration and other institutions, the adviser said the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government and her departure from the country on August 5 marked a significant event in Bangladesh's history.However, he said it is not possible to replace all officials who served at different levels of the administration during the previous 15 years overnight. "Many people associated with the previous government are still working in different institutions, including the administration. It is simply not possible to remove such a large number of people at once; the process takes time," he said.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said individuals associated with Awami League can participate in the upcoming local government elections, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and do not campaign on behalf of the party. He made the remarks when asked whether the government would allow Awami League (now facing ban on its activities) to take part in the upcoming local government elections at a press conference held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at Secretariat on the progress of various government activities. Dr. Zahed said there would be no obstacle to individuals contesting the polls as the elections would be conducted on a non-party basis. “There is no problem at all. If a person wants to participate in the election and fulfils the required criteria, he or she can contest,” he said. Replying to a question about candidates who may still hold positions in Awami League, the adviser said as the party’s organisational activities remain banned such positions cannot be used in any official or political capacity. “Since organisational activities of the Awami League are prohibited, those positions cannot be used. However, as individuals, anyone who fulfils the necessary criteria and wishes to contest the election may do so,” he said. He said the government has no reason to prevent any eligible individual from participating in the local government elections.