DHAKA: Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said BNP leaders were confused about the release of their chairperson Khaleda Zia. 

He told reporters after attending a sports competition on Government Physical Education College ground at Mohammadpur in the capital on Saturday (February 15).

Agrani Bank Limited organized the annual sports competition for its employees.

The minister said: “They (BNP) don’t know what they want. Once they say that they will go for movement to release her, but then again they phoned our general secretary to free her.”

Dr Hasan Mahmud also said: “The government only can consider her parole, if she (Khaleda Zia) applies for it accepting her crimes. The government does not have any authority to free Khaleda Zia.”

“If it (government) is to exercise this authority, then the honorable prime minister will have to discharge duties as the chief justice which the constitution does not allow,” he added.

About the treatment of BNP chairperson, Hasan said: “The government is always sincere in providing the best healthcare services to Begum Khaleda Zia. She has been kept in the BSMMU Hospital with her personal domestic-help instead of prison.” 

BDST: 1345 HRS, FEB 15, 2020

AH/SMS