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Published on November 18, 2021Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said today the law would decide whether Khaleda Zia would be allowed to go abroad for medical treatment.
“I have done whatever I can for Khaleda Zia. Now the law will decide the next course of action (regarding Khaleda’s overseas treatment),” she said while answering queries from the journalists in a press conference arranged to brief media about her recently concluded 14-day official visit to the UK and France.
Replying to a query about allowing Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, she said that using her power, she has allowed Khaleda Zia to stay home (instead of jail) and take required treatment within the country.
The Prime Minister briefed the media at the Ganabhaban end while the journalists from different media questioned her from both her official residence and the Prime Minister’s (PMO).
Sheikh Hasina asked the journalists how they could expect from her that Khaleda Zia will be sent abroad for treatment as the BNP chairperson made several attempts on her life, referring to the August 21, 2004 grenade attacks, planting of bombs at Kotalipara in Gopalganj and giving prestigious postings to the killers of Bangabandhu and his family members.
The Prime Minister said Khaleda Zia made convicted killers Rashid leader of the opposition in parliament and gave another killer Pasha posthumous promotion to give his family all the job benefits.
She added that Khaleda Zia even did not allow the Awami League to speak about the August 21 grenade attack in the parliament though 22 leaders and activists were killed and many others injured.
The Prime Minister questioned the journalist what they would do if anyone made attempts on their live or killed their family members, saying, “Would you receive them with garland?”
She told the journalists who asked the questions that they must be ashamed for asking the question.
Despite those facts, the Prime Minister said, they have allowed Khaleda Zia to stay home as they are human beings.
“Using whatever (authority) is in my hand, I have managed to keep Khaleda Zia at her home,” she said.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, Education Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Dipu Moni and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin were present on the dais at Ganabhaban.
Replying to another question, Sheikh Hasina said they (BNP) have been carrying out anti-state conspiracy mainly to dethrone Awami League government as it has ensured development at the grassroots which they could not appreciate.
The Prime Minister said the BNP-Jamaat clique has made several attempts to kill her by hurling bombs and grenades and firing gunshots.
"They could not succeed in killing me despite their many attempts. Their attempts will be continued and they are doing so. This is their character," she added.
The Prime Minister said they came to power illegally through guns and their party was formed from the cantonment.
Being a fugitive convict, Tarique Rahman has been carrying out activities to destroy the country's image and there are some people who are always busy with conducting anti-state propaganda for money.
The premier said that Tarique Rahman has been leading lavish life (in London) with the country’s huge siphoned off money.
She said they have been trying to create an anarchic situation in Bangladesh through many unprecedented activities, including included hurling bombs and keeping the holy Quran in the Hindu temple.
The Prime Minister asked the journalists find out who are controlling the untoward incidents and from where the instructions are coming.
Taking the advantage of digital Bangladesh, she said, things are found out by reviewing the close-circuit cameras.
"More information will come out," she asserted.
The Prime Minister asked the journalists to review the information, saying, “You should to reveal the information regarding the matter."
About measures to stop terrorist activities in the upcoming Union Parishad elections across the country, the Prime Minister said that steps are being taken to check poll violence.
Sheikh Hasina vowed that actions would be taken against the district, upazila, union and even ward level leaders if any of them disobey decisions of the party.
The premier said that nomination along with the party symbol is given only for the post of chairman in the UP election, not for the members.
She added that violence is also taking place among the supporters of member candidates.
Regarding BNP’s statement that they would not participate in the polls under the present government, she said, but the party said that they will not give nomination to anyone while one can take part in the UP polls without symbols.
Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, added that BNP does not have the organisational capacity and popularity to take part in the elections.
“People want Awami League and they will vote for the party,” she continued.
Replying to another question, Sheikh Hasina said, there is no exact statistics of how many people were killed through court martial in the name of trial after 15th August in 1975.
She, however, mentioned that the true history of the killing will be brought to the light through collection of the facts and information.
Mentioning that it was not known how many military officers were hanged to death and killed during the Ziaur Rahman regime, the premier said some 19 coups took place during Ziaur Rahman’s tenure and he was directly involved in the killing of the military officials.
“How a country could survive if 19 coups took place in four years after 1975’s gruesome killings of Bangabandhu!” she added.
The Prime Minister urged the journalists to reveal the information regarding the killings during the regime of Ziaur Rahman.
She said that her government will take measures to know the exact information about the number of the military officers killed in Zia’s regime.
About extra-judicial killings, the Prime Minister said the government has issued directives so that such incidents don’t occur.
Replying to a question, Sheikh Hasina said, introduction of an award titled “UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangbabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Award on Creative Economy” by the UNESCO would encourage the youths across the globe to play their due role in generating employment through their innovative ideas, skills and talents.
About BBC’s report describing Sheikh Hasina as one of the five leading dealmakers of the COP26 , the Prime Minister said she has been working for not only Bangladesh but also for all the climate vulnerable countries.
In this regard, she mentioned that CRI, a research organisation of the ruling Awami League, is also working with innovative ideas for the betterment of the youths and expressed hope that Bangladesh will win the award in the future.
Replying to another question on submission of wealth statements by the ministers and lawmakers of the Awami League, the Prime Minister said, lawmakers are submitting the annual reports of their income and expenditure to the Election Commission before every national election.