No foreign pressure on upcoming election: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said there is no foreign pressure regarding the upcoming national election, stressing that the government is organising the polls on its own initiative.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday (January 3) after a meeting with heads of government offices in Munshiganj, he said the election schedule is tight and the government will hand over power through the February 12 polls. “We are arranging the election ourselves. There is no issue of pressure from abroad,” he added.

The adviser noted that the nature of Bangladesh’s relations with other countries is a matter for those nations themselves, but emphasised that Bangladesh maintains good relations with the international community.

On efforts to bring back those accused in the Osman Hadi killing, Touhid Hossain said the process must not be rushed. “Attempts are underway to repatriate the accused. There is information suggesting they may be in India, but their exact whereabouts are yet to be confirmed. Once details are verified, coordination with the Indian government will follow,” he said.

He added that justice cannot be bound by strict timelines, but the government will make every effort to ensure the accused face trial as soon as possible.

Earlier in the day, the foreign adviser paid tribute at the July Shaheed Memorial in Munshiganj and visited the graves of three people killed on August 4.

District Administrator Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi, Superintendent of Police Menhazul Islam and other officials were present during that time.