ZCZC
BSS-22
HASAN-ZIA-TRIAL-BNP
Not holding trial of Zia killing is mysterious: Hasan
DHAKA, May 30, 2020 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today
said it is really mysterious that BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia did not hold
the trial of the killing of her husband Ziaur Rahman when she was in power.
“Question is being raised by many – whether there is any possibility that
the truth will come out if the trial of the killing of Ziaur Rahman is held,”
he said at a press briefing at Awami League president’s political office in
city’s Dhanmondi.
The minister said, “BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia was in power for two
times. Besides, she had grabbed power for about a month once after holding a
questionable election. But, she didn’t hold the trial of the killing of her
husband Ziaur Rahman which is a mysterious matter pervading in the common
men.”
AL Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, Office Secretary Barrister
Biplob Barua, Deputy Publicity Secretary Aminul Islam and Deputy Office
Secretary Sayeem Khan, among others, were present.
About the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, Hasan said Prime Minister and
also AL President Sheikh Hasina has taken various steps in the country soon
after the coronavirus outbreak at Wuhan in China. The concerned port
authorities carried out health tests on everyone who come from abroad, he
added.
He said there is no country in world which has been free from Coronavirus.
In the United States, where healthcare and economic systems and management
are much better, there 6 percent of total diagnosed patients are dying, he
added.
“The death rate in Belgium is 15 percent while 14 percent in Britain, 3.2
percent in India and over 2 percent in Pakistan. But the death rate in
Bangladesh is 1.35 percent. The death rate could have increased, if the
health service system was bad,” said Hasan, also Awami League (AL) joint
general secretary.
“This is a global catastrophe, we want to deal with this situation with
the cooperation of all,” the minister added.
Hasan said the Prime Minister is dealing with the situation to protect
human health and save lives, at the same time in a developing country of 17
crore of people like Bangladesh, all activities across the country have been
shut down for more than two months.
The food assistance is being provided (to the poor) for two months, he
said, adding about seven crore people in the country have come under the
assistance of the government in various ways.
Hasan said Bangabandhu’s worthy daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is
currently conducting the largest ever relief operation in the history of the
country. “About seven crore people of the country have already come under the
government’s assistance programme in various ways. Such a big incident never
happened in the history of Bangladesh,” he added.
“Listed People have received Taka 2500 to their mobile phones and they
need not to go anywhere for money… None had thought of this earlier,” he
said.
“All Qawmi madrasas in the country have been given money before Eid. Money
has been given to different mosques too. I do not know whether such kind of
the relief operation has taken place in any of the neighboring countries,” he
added.
Hasan said the Awami League has provided relief to about 1.20 crore
families across the country which no other party did. Leaders of different
levels of the party, members of parliament (MPs) and people’s representatives
have conducted relief activities in each upazila across the country, he
added.
“Due to such a large and well-planned relief operation led by the Prime
Minister, not a single people in the country died from starvation by the
grace of the Almighty,” he added.
The minister said through its dynamism, the government of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina has proved false the predictions of many others regarding the
current situation.
Contrary to AL’s countrywide relief distribution activities, he said, the
BNP leaders are seen busy with posing in photo sessions and criticizing the
government’s humanitarian works.
“I would like to request BNP leaders to come forward to combat the
prevailing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis together with the government,
shunning the politics of criticism and hatred,” said Hasan.
The minister prayed for early recovery of the infected people. He also
prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of those who died of COVID-19.
BSS/Asg/PSB/GA/1538 HRS