Ex-President may face legal action: Dr Zahed

 
Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said no legal proceedings can be initiated against a sitting president, but legal action may be taken after the individual leaves office.

Responding to journalists at a press conference at the Secretariat, Zahed clarified that he was explaining a general constitutional principle and was not referring specifically to the outgoing president.

He also stressed that the judiciary is independent and that the government does not interfere in court proceedings.

The adviser also outlined the government's position on several key issues, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible participation in the BRICS summit, industrial gas connections, microplastics found in toothpastes, the use of 7.62mm bullets during the July Movement and the trial of the Shapla Chattar incident.

On the BRICS summit where Indian Premier Narendra Modi invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend, Zahed said no decision had yet been taken on whether PM would attend.

He said Bangladesh is not a member of BRICS and has been invited as an observer. The government will decide in due course whether the prime minister will participate.

Zahed said he was not aware of whether preliminary discussions on the matter had begun.

Addressing the country's energy situation, the adviser said the government had decided not to provide gas connections to new industrial establishments until energy security is ensured.

He said the impact of long-standing mismanagement, looting and flawed policies in the energy sector continued to affect industry and investment.

The country is currently unable to supply adequate gas to existing industries and, under such circumstances, providing gas connections to new industries is not realistic, he said.

"Ensuring energy security is the most important thing for the sustainable industrialisation of a country," Zahed said.

He added that onshore gas exploration was continuing while the tender process for offshore exploration was being accelerated. However, he noted that gas production from offshore fields would still take several years.

Meanwhile, the government is also working to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and maximise gas production from Bhola, he said.

On reports of microplastics being detected in toothpastes sold in the country, Zahed said the government was treating the issue seriously and would take necessary decisions with the highest priority given to public interest.

Commenting on the July Movement, Zahed described claims linking the use of 7.62mm bullets to snipers as "misleading".

He said such ammunition had long been used in Chinese Type-56 rifles operated by Bangladesh Police, while Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also possessed similar weapons. The actual facts, he said, would emerge through investigation and the judicial process. 

On the Shapla Chattar incident, Zahed said the government would not overlook the matter and that any violations of the law would face due process.

"Surely, a good trial will be held during this government's tenure. There is no reason for the government to ignore it," he said.