Information Adviser explains why PM's US visit was shortened

Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has cited cost savings and the country's internal situation as reasons for shortening the Prime Minister's US visit.

He conveyed this information in response to a journalist's question at a press briefing on the progress of various ministries' work and contemporary issues at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) in the Secretariat on Tuesday, September 22, at noon.

The Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Broadcasting said the visit was initially longer. Later, he (the Prime Minister) shortened it. Because a shorter visit is more cost-effective than a long one. "You will notice he has travelled with a very small team. At the same time, the country is going through various crises in various ways. So at this moment, staying in the country is certainly a better priority for him," he said.

He said they still do not know of any bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump during the visit.

Regarding recent violence, he said, "I am not saying Awami League, but a few cocktails have exploded in some places in Dhaka city and buses have been set on fire. I do not think a crisis can actually be created by these."

In response to a question, he said, "We do not see any political crisis. Politics should actually be practised by accepting that a democratically elected government will stay in office for five years."

Regarding the membership of Jamaat-expelled MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, Zahed Ur Rahman said that under Article 70 of the Constitution, if a Member of Parliament resigns from the party or votes against the party, a question arises about their membership. However, Gazi Nazrul Islam did not resign from the party; he was expelled. For this reason, he is still an MP.

Zahed Ur Rahman said there is scope for membership to be lost over allegations of misconduct, but that is a procedural matter. At the same time, if someone is sentenced to two years or more for an offence involving moral turpitude, a fresh constitutional question may arise regarding their parliamentary membership.

Regarding the long time taken to execute death sentences, Zahed Ur Rahman said the judiciary is an independent branch of the state. There is no scope for direct government intervention in the judicial process of a case or in delays in executing a death sentence.

It may be mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already reached New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He will address the General Assembly session on September 24.

After a four-day visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to leave JFK International Airport at 11pm New York time on September 25 for Dhaka via Dubai on Emirates flight EK-202. He is scheduled to reach Dhaka on September 27.