Prime Minister's Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman on Wednesday said there would be no dialogue with BNP on the caretaker government system.
"The election will be held as per the constitution. Dialogues will be held if BNP takes part in the next election accepting this. There will be no dialogue with the BNP on caretaker government issue," he said after a meeting with visiting British Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) office in the city, said a press release.
Salman mentioned that the United Kingdom (UK) wants a free, fair and neutral election and the government has strengthened the Election Commission to that end.
The government is committed to hold a free and fair election. Our Election Commission is independent, he added.
He said, "The proof is that many city corporation elections are being held neutrally. National elections will be held as per the constitution."
He said the opposition should understand that there is no alternative to participating in the election.
Salman said they also discussed the Rohingya issue and sought continued focus and pressure on Myanmar to resolve the crisis.
They discussed the Aviation Trade and Investment Partnership, signed by the UK and Bangladesh in May 2023, to strengthen Bangladesh's aviation sector and create jobs in both countries, he added.
The UK minister is here on a two-day visit to discuss relevant issues with Bangladesh to help grow green growth.
An earlier report adds: Prime Minister's Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman has commented that that Pakistan needs to apologize for the atrocities committed in 1971 to improve relations with Bangladesh.
The adviser made the comment in a meeting with Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi in Madinah while performing the holy Hajj, said a press release issued here last night (Tuesday).
In a tweet on Monday, Salman said, "Pleasure meeting with Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, in Masjid Nabawi. I was 12 years old when we last met. Brought back lots of fond childhood memories. I said to him we need an apology for 1971 in order to improve relations. We prayed for the welfare of the Ummah in the holy site."
In another tweet, Arif Alvi posted two pictures taken with Salman F Rahman in Madina and said, "He had a 'good conversation' with Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin in Makkah, Mina and Madinah."
Calling Salman F Rahman as a childhood friend, Arif Alvi said that the two friends met after 60 years.
