Polls would be held ‘as soon as possible’

FE Team | Published: June 21, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

President Iajuddin Ahmed said Wednesday that the next parliamentary elections would be held as soon as possible within the government-set timeframe.
"Bangladesh is a democratic country and the next parliamentary election would be held as soon as possible within the timeframe set by the government."
The President said this while visiting State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain Nezar Sadiq Al Baharna made a courtesy call on him at the Bangabhaban in the city, reports UNB.
During the meeting, they discussed various matters of bilateral interest of the two countries as well as international issues like the Middle-East problems.
President Iajuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh wants a peaceful resolution of the Middle-East issues, including Palestine.
"Bangladesh's troops are contributing to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations for upholding world peace and security," the President told the minister of the Gulf country in this context.
The President congratulated him on his visit to Bangladesh and said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its fraternal relations with Bahrain.
Stating that the existing relations between the two countries are excellent, very cordial and friendly, Iajuddin Ahmed expressed the hope that the bilateral ties would be further "strengthened and deepened" in the days to come.
The President apprised the minister that there was a great scope for widening bilateral trade and commerce between the two countries.
"The Bahrain government may invest in our country as there is a very congenial atmosphere prevailing for investment," he said.
The President also informed the minister that Bangladesh had achieved significant progress in the field of female education, especially in the rural areas, micro-credit and women empowerment.
Terming the people of Bangladesh very hardworking, kind and friendly, the President said, "The people of Bangladesh are tolerant and enjoy an excellent track record on communal harmony."
The President also gave due importance to boosting educational programme for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
He conveyed his greetings and best wishes to King of Bahrain his majesty Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa and invited him through the envoy to visit Bangladesh at his convenience.
Among others, Head of Bilateral Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain Dahfer Al Umran, Military Secretary to the President Major General Aminul Karim, Secretary of the President's Office M Sirajul Islam and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bahrain Ruhul Amin were also present at the time.