Date:09/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070955401203.htm

International

"Ready to release Khaleda Zia"

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: Bangladesh government's chief adviser, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, has said the government is ready to release the former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, from detention.

Dr. Ahmed hinted at Ms. Zia's release while speaking at the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. The former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was released through a legal process for her treatment abroad, said Dr. Fakhruddin, adding: "If she [Ms. Zia] desires, the same gesture will be extended to her; there is no hesitation about it."

The BNP - headed by Ms. Zia - and its ally, the Jamaat-e-Islami, have been critical of the government for not releasing Ms. Zia and her sons, who were arrested and accused of corruption. Ms, Zia, speaking outside the court premises on Monday, said the government was not "behaving equally."

Ms. Hasina was released last month, but an ailing Ms. Zia declined to be treated abroad, but demanded her sons be freed too.

At the D-8 summit, Dr. Ahmed reassured that the general election would be held by the end of this year. He said the government is now at the final stage of carrying out political reforms and highlighted measures taken to eradicate corruption and promote people's rights.