Govt may consider lifting emergency before polls, if needed: Matin
Friday, 1 August 2008
Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin Thursday said if needed, the caretaker government may consider lifting the state of emergency completely before the general election slated for December, reports UNB.
"It is the government to consider that. If necessity is felt, the government may consider," he said when a correspondent asked if there is no possibility of lifting the emergency completely.
The Home Adviser dropped the broad hint over the crucial question while talking to reporters at Zia International Airport, where he went to receive British Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears, who arrived here for a two-day visit.
Asked if a free and fair election is possible under the emergency, he said, "Why not? We have already relaxed quite a few restrictions. If necessary, based on the situation, the government will consider again."
Responding to a query, Matin said the government has already relaxed enough restrictions in the city corporations and municipalities, where elections would be held on August 4. "If needed, there will be further relaxations."
Political parties, especially the major ones, are persistently demanding that the interim regime withdraw the emergency to facilitate electioneering on a full scale. The state of emergency was declared amid political turmoil over electoral issues.
Asked if democracy and emergency could go together, he said it should not be forgotten on what situation emergency was declared, and "think about the situation one and half years back."
When reminded of his earlier statement that the country would not revert to the pre-1/11 situation, the Home Adviser said, "I meant anarchy at that time. Why only me, you also don't want to go back to the anarchic situation."
To a questioner, he said, "Inshallah, the country will not go back to pre-1/11 situation."
Asked even then, why the state of emergency is in place, Matin said, "Let's see. It will depend on the situation."
"It is the government to consider that. If necessity is felt, the government may consider," he said when a correspondent asked if there is no possibility of lifting the emergency completely.
The Home Adviser dropped the broad hint over the crucial question while talking to reporters at Zia International Airport, where he went to receive British Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears, who arrived here for a two-day visit.
Asked if a free and fair election is possible under the emergency, he said, "Why not? We have already relaxed quite a few restrictions. If necessary, based on the situation, the government will consider again."
Responding to a query, Matin said the government has already relaxed enough restrictions in the city corporations and municipalities, where elections would be held on August 4. "If needed, there will be further relaxations."
Political parties, especially the major ones, are persistently demanding that the interim regime withdraw the emergency to facilitate electioneering on a full scale. The state of emergency was declared amid political turmoil over electoral issues.
Asked if democracy and emergency could go together, he said it should not be forgotten on what situation emergency was declared, and "think about the situation one and half years back."
When reminded of his earlier statement that the country would not revert to the pre-1/11 situation, the Home Adviser said, "I meant anarchy at that time. Why only me, you also don't want to go back to the anarchic situation."
To a questioner, he said, "Inshallah, the country will not go back to pre-1/11 situation."
Asked even then, why the state of emergency is in place, Matin said, "Let's see. It will depend on the situation."