Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said there is no logic behind enforcing hartal demanding the arrest of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique.

The Prime Minister was addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital Thursday afternoon on her recent visit to Italy to attend ASEM Summit in Milan.

When asked whether any legal measures would be taken against Latif Siddique, she said, "It's not right that the government didn't take any step against Latif Siddique. A large number of cases have been filed against him."

Sheikh Hasina said: "Don't forget that he (Latif) was a cabinet member. I was on board the plane when he made the remarks, and I heard about it landing at London. He was instantly removed from the cabinet. We also served a show-cause notice on him. His case will be discussed at the Awami League Central Working Committee meeting on Friday."
The Prime Minister asked how the government would arrest him as he is not in the country. "We are taking appropriate measures against him. There is no scope of calling a hartal making it an issue. The government took all the necessary measures against him. There is no logic behind enforcing such a hartal. So, this hartal is illogical."

"Where is he (Latif Siddique)? Catch him and hand him over to police," she also told the Islamic parties' leaders who have called the hartal.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said Khaleda Zia had introduced the hartal culture in the country. She enforced hartal repeatedly to save the killers. "Why she is so sympathetic to those who don't want democracy in the country," she asked.

The Prime Minister also ruled out the possibility of any dialogue with BNP over the parliamentary elections.

"Why should we sit with those who maintain constant relation with the killers? Why do they insist on talks? Why do they show so much sympathy for those who have been thrown away to the dustbin of politics? There may be a reason. There was Hawa Bhaban and they could earn money. But it doesn't exist anymore. We didn't open Hawa Bhaban. People live in peace. Their children can study now."

Sheikh Hasina asserted that Bangladesh would never turn into the bases of militants. "It's not only a problem for Bangladesh, but also a problem for the international community," she said.

Claiming the political stability has been prevailing in the country since the January 5 elections, she also sought cooperation of the countrymen to continue to maintain it.

ZA