Prime minister Sheikh Hasina told Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday that there remained some legal complications regarding bringing the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party action chairman, Tarique Rahman, back to the country from the United Kingdom.
However, the government is determined to bring him back to the country after resolving all the complications in the legal process and to award him the punishment he deserves, she said, in response to a question from Awami League reserved seat lawmaker Farida Yasmin.
Sheikh Hasina said that strong diplomatic and legal initiatives were going on simultaneously to bring back Tariq Rahman, who is staying in the UK.
鈥業t is hoped that we will be able to see the results of this process soon,鈥� Hasina added.
The acting BNP chief is convicted in multiple cases, including the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.
Stating that 15 accused, including Tarique, are currently absconding in the August 21 grenade attack case, she said that efforts to arrest the absconding accused had continued.
A red notice from Interpol has been issued against absconding accused Maulana Tajuddin, Md Harish Chaudhary, and Ratul Ahmed Babu.
Also, efforts are being made to bring back the fugitive accused through discussions with the countries where they are staying, the prime minister said.
鈥榁arious steps are being taken in this regard at the highest level of the government,鈥� Hasina, also AL president, said.
Hasina informed the parliament that she sent several letters to the heads of state and government of relevant countries at various times, seeking cooperation in bringing the convicts back to the country.
She also sought their personal cooperation while meeting with them at different international forums.
The prime minister said that due to legal complications regarding the location of the convicts in the respective countries, expected progress could not be made in this regard.
鈥筂easures are being taken according to the laws of the countries concerned and the current diplomacy,鈥� said the PM.
In response to the question from independent lawmaker Md Abdullah, the PM said that the government had taken an initial decision to adopt an effective policy to use e-waste and recycle it properly.
鈥業n this regard, the data collection process is ongoing and will be finalised later by taking the views of the participants,鈥� she said.
She also said that plants would be built for e-waste recycling.
In response to the question of AL lawmaker Ali Azam, the PM 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, 13,12,594 are women.
Responding to another question from Farida Yasmin, the PM said that Tk 45.23 crore had 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.
