Hasina's trial is interim govt's priority: Shafiqul Alam

The interim government is prioritising the prosecution of Sheikh Hasina and her associates for their alleged involvement in murders and enforced disappearances, said CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday.

Speaking at the opening of a training programme for agricultural journalists at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in the capital, Alam said some 3,500 people went missing and around 2,000 youths were murdered under Hasina’s administration.

“The process to ensure justice is already underway,” he added.

Pointing at the media, Alam revealed that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has set two potential timelines for the national elections.

But, he said, finalising the election date will depend on consultations with political parties.

Dismissing rumours of plans to ban the Awami League, he said, “The interim government has no intention to dissolve the party. Political parties themselves must address such matters. However, the Awami League continues to spread false information instead of expressing regret to the nation.”

During the session, the press secretary highlighted the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy by tackling inflation and ensuring steady commodity prices.

He attributed the success to increased supply and measures to counteract market syndicates.

Alam also criticised Hasina’s regime for creating food insecurity through falsified production data. “Official reports indicated a surplus in food production, but actual figures on the ground did not match. These falsified records inflated food prices, as traders were aware of the real production levels.”