Play store
The government is continuing international and diplomatic efforts to bring back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed from the United Arab Emirates, said BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s Political and Agriculture Affairs Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan.
He made the remarks at a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Monday (August 17), marking 180 days since the government assumed office.
Nazrul said direct discussions were underway with the UAE government to expedite the extradition of the former police chief. The government has also specifically requested the UAE authorities not to provide Benazir with any legal facilities or asylum, he said.
At the press conference, the government also said it was taking comprehensive measures to reduce dependence on imported energy and ensure fuel supplies through pipelines. Around Tk 40,000 crore in additional funds has already been allocated for the purpose, officials said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to constitutional reform and the July Charter, Nazrul said the government was running the state in accordance with its election manifesto while respecting the views of all political parties and democratic processes.
He said Bangladesh’s energy sector is largely dependent on imports and noted that Ziaur Rahman had established BAPEX to develop the country’s mineral resources, but the institution had been made ineffective over the past 10 to 15 years.
Although the problems cannot be resolved overnight, the government is continuing efforts to bring energy through pipelines, he said, adding that discussions are also underway with Myanmar.
On constitutional reform and the July Charter, Nazrul said the document given to political parties had initially referred to “amending” the Constitution, but that terminology was no longer being followed.
He said parties that come to power would, under the terms of the July Charter, make their notes of dissent public before the election and implement the charter based on the people’s mandate.
However, he stressed that there is no alternative to discussion in a parliamentary democracy.
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury, spokesperson Mahdi Amin and Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, among others, attended the press conference.