We aren't buying time on Khaleda's release: Zillur

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The caretaker government is not deliberately delaying the process of release of detained former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said Tuesday to dispel doubts over this issue, reports UNB.

"We're not buying time... There is no matter of slowing down the process on our part. We're just proceeding ahead on the basis of a particular policy," he said after an informal meeting of four advisers at the Communications Ministry.

The group of four advisers - Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Communications Adviser Golam Quader, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal and Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff - are assigned to negotiate with the political parties at the government-sponsored dialogue with them on the issues of transition to democratic era from the interim regime.

The advisers said they sat in the meeting to review the latest outcomes and the remaining process of the ongoing dialogues with the political parties, as they brace themselves with preparation for dealing with one of the two toughest players on the political turf Thursday.

On the question of Khaleda Zia's release, Hossain Zillur categorically said the caretaker government wants to proceed after taking into consideration all the humanitarian and legal aspects.

Asked what happens if the BNP-led four-party alliance does not participate in the coming elections, the Commerce adviser said: "We don't think hypothetically."

He said they are making their effort to hold dialogue with the recalcitrant 4-party alliance, which had ruled the country until the last changeover amid a political crisis over the issues of general election.

He claimed that the government wants to move ahead taking all (the political parties) together. "We're trying to move towards a solution, and all have to be in the move together