Strong diplomatic efforts continue to bring back Tarique: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in parliament that though there are some legal complications, strong diplomatic and legal activities are on to bring back BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, who is now staying in the UK, to Bangladesh.

“Strong diplomatic and legal efforts are going on simultaneously to bring Tarique Rahman back to the country,” she said.

The Leader of House said this while responding to a tabled question of Awami League lawmaker Farida Yasmin during the Premier’s question-answer session in parliament.

She said that there are some legal complications regarding the return of fugitive accused Tarique Rahman, who was convicted in multiple cases, including the August 21 grenade attack case.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is determined to resolve all the complications in the legal process and bring “this criminal” (Tarique) back to the country and execute the punishment he deserves.

She added, “Hopefully, we will be able to see the results of this process soon.”

The Prime Minister said that diplomatic activities and legislative activities are going on simultaneously to bring back accused Tarique Rahman.

“The relevant departments of the government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are working maintaining necessary communications with the UK government,” she said.

Mentioning that 15 accused including Tarique Rahman alias Tarique Zia are currently absconding in the August 21 grenade attack, the Leader of the House said that efforts are on to arrest the absconding the fugitive accused.

She said that red alert of Interpol has been issued against fugitive accused Maulana Tajuddin, Md. Harish Chowdhury and Ratul Ahmed Babu alias Ratul Babu.

She went on, “Also, efforts are being made to bring back the fugitive accused through discussions with the countries where they are staying. Various steps are being taken in this regard from the higher level of the government.”

Sheikh Hasina told the parliament that she herself has sent several letters to the heads of state and government of the concerned countries at different times seeking cooperation in bringing the killers back to the country.

She also sought their personal cooperation in the meetings at various international forums.

The Prime Minister said that due to the legal complications regarding the location of the killers in the respective countries, there was no expected progress in this regard.

In order to bring the murderers back to the country, measures are being taken according to the laws of the concerned countries along with the current diplomacy, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said that a red alert has been issued through Interpol to bring back the fugitive accused in the Bangabandhu murder case and the August 21 grenade attack case to the country and execute the verdict.  

In this regard, the ministries of foreign affairs, law and home affairs and other related departments are working in coordination with each other.

She said that among the fugitive killers of Bangabandhu, Major (retd) Noor Chowdhury and his family are in Canada, while Abdur Rashid and Major (dismissed) Shariful Islam Dalim are in Pakistan or Libya, Lt. Col (retd) Rashed Chowdhury in America and Resaldar Mosleh Uddin Khan is staying in India. In addition, it is known that Lt. Colonel (retd) Aziz Pasha is said to have died during his stay in Zimbabwe.

The head of government also said that out of the 12 accused who were sentenced to be hanged in Bangabandhu murder, six have been executed.

In response to the question of independent lawmaker Md. Abdullah, the Prime Minister said that the government has taken an initial decision to adopt an effective policy to use e-waste and recycle it properly.

“To this end, the data collection process is going on and will be finalised later by taking the views of the participants,” she added.

 Sheikh Hasina also said that plants will be built for e-waste recycling.

In reply to a query of Awami League lawmaker Ali Azam of Bhola-2, the Leader of the House said that 33,50,274 disabled persons have been identified and given registration and identity cards (Golden Citizen Card) through 575 units across the country.

Among them, some 13, 12, 594 are disabled women, she added.

In response to another question from Farida Yasmin, the Prime Minister said that Taka 45.23 crore has been distributed to 13,582 journalists and journalist families across the country as welfare grants and financial assistance during the Covid-19 period from the Journalist Welfare Trust.