Sheikh Hasina's extradition will depend on legal process: Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that the extradition of Sheikh Hasina will depend entirely on the legal process.

In his first press conference following the party's victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, held on Saturday afternoon at the Hotel Intercontinental in Shahbag, Dhaka, he clarified the party's stance on the new government's priorities, economic challenges, regional diplomacy, and the issue of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition.

He stated that the extradition of Sheikh Hasina will depend entirely on the legal process and that BNP will not intervene in any way regarding this matter.

Tarique Rahman identified the biggest challenges facing the new government as addressing the fragile economy and the capital crisis. He outlined priorities including increasing credit flow in the banking sector, resolving the liquidity crisis, and creating an investment-friendly environment. Additionally, initiatives will be taken to ensure the security of people's lives and property and to restore professionalism and good governance in institutions that have been politicised.

He stated that the government will value the opinions of not only young people but also people from all classes and professions in society. Effective steps will be taken for the welfare of the elderly, disabled and women in accordance with the election manifesto.

Regarding regional diplomacy, he noted that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was initiated by Bangladesh. Therefore, the BNP government will seek to make SAARC active and effective again. He also stated that Bangladesh will attempt to play a positive role through dialogue to establish stability in South Asia by reducing the distance between India and Pakistan.

Concerning China-Bangladesh relations and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Tarique Rahman said that China is one of Bangladesh's key development partners. However, the interests of the people of Bangladesh will be given the highest priority in any international agreement. He stated that if the BRI proves beneficial for the country's economy, the government will proceed positively.

In response to a question about whether any 'engineering' was involved in winning over two hundred seats in the election, Tarique Rahman said, "We did engineering—the engineering of convincing the people. Bringing the people to our side—that was our success."

The BNP Secretary General and multiple members of the standing committee, along with other central leaders, were present at the press conference.