Tarique gets new passport, may fly abroad for treatment next week

Tarique Rahman, released on bail Wednesday following latest developments in the country's political arena, may go either to the UK or Germany next week for his treatment, his lawyer said, reports UNB.brBarrister Nasiruddin Ashim told the news agency that Tarique got his new passport Thursday. He may apply for visa of the UK or Germany Sunday as the treatment he requires is better in those two countries.brHopefully, he (Tarique) may leave the country next week after receiving the visa, Ashim said.brTarique, elder son of detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia and senior joint secretary general of BNP, is still undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.brBNP leader MK Anwar, Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed and some former BNP MPs met him Thursday morning at the BSMMU.brMeanwhile, bdnews24.com adds The medical board formed Thursday to treat Tarique Rahman at BSMMU Hospital has advised him to take total bed rest for two days. brMember of the medical board Dr Mazharul Islam said the four-member medical board headed by Prof Sirajuddin Ahmed examined the BNP leader in the morning. brThe doctors advised two full days of rest, as Tarique complained of back pain and his blood pressure also appeared to be fluctuating. brIt was mainly to help Tarique manage his back pain that they proposed he remain in the hospital for a couple more days, the doctor said. brAnother of Tarique's lawyers, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas said We are making preparations to fly Tarique abroad as soon as possible for treatment, as advised by the doctors. brBiswas said his client sought people's blessings for his recovery. brAnother report adds Khaleda Zia's release depends on the detained former prime minister securing bail in all cases against her, an adviser said Thursday. brConducting the weekly briefing at the commerce ministry, Hossain Zillur said Khaleda Zia has to seek and secure bail in all the cases she faces first and she will be duly released once the issue of bail is sorted out legally. brOn dialogue with BNP, he said We hope we'll sit with BNP within this month of Ramadan. brThe invitation to the dialogue has already been sent and the government now just awaits BNP's response. brHe claimed participation of all political parties has been ensured in the forthcoming parliamentary polls. brBy ensuring everybody's participation, we have achieved a step forward. brThe second crucial step is ensuring quality participation, which warrants a qualitative overhaul of a whole lot of electoral machinery and behaviour. brIt's the political leaders who must behave appropriately and conduct themselves as the changing scenario demands, so that holding a meaningful and fair election is possible and the chaotic dramas of the past do not take place. brAsked if the election environment would be jeopardised in case the envisaged changes do not take place, Hossain Zillur said We're trying to address possible deterrents well in advance. brActually all three parties-the politicians, the public and the government-have to gear themselves up equally and sincerely to make an election fair and meaningful. brReplying to a question on the planned upazila polls, the adviser said The upazila polls will be held, according to the schedule announced by the Chief Election Commissioner, to make local level institutions strong and effective. brOn lifting the emergency, he said We are discussing ways to handle the emergency in a manner which serves the purpose of all people. brThe parliamentary polls will be held by December end as endorsed by the people. No-one should have any doubts about that, Hossain Zillur said. brLaw Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader were also present during the briefing.