Opinion to send Khaleda Zia abroad soon: Law Minister

GBNEWS24DESK//

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq has said the law ministry will give its opinion soon regarding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s advanced treatment abroad.

He made the remark responding to a query of a journalist at prize distribution ceremony of an essay writing competition on “War of Liberation, Independence and Human Values” at Lakeshore Hotel in Gulshan of the capital on Tuesday (December 21).

When asked why the law ministry has been delaying in giving its opinion about sending Khaleda Zia abroad though it gave its opinions earlier very quickly regarding other issues of the former premier, Anisul Huq said he would soon give his ministry’s opinion.

Asked where there was any scope to give opinion on humanitarian ground, the Law Minister said, “I intend to see the matter in context of law, because whenever the government will take any step, it must be a legal step.”

“Fifteen BNP-backed lawyers of the Supreme Court approached to me regarding Khaleda Zia. There was no legal backing in their remarks. Their remarks are also not supported by court. Rather, the comments and statement which I made in parliament have the support in many judgements,” he said.

Earlier, the Law Minister said the BNP will have to wait for the government’s decision on whether it will allow party chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment.

On December 5, he had said that they were looking into ‘legal means’ by which the BNP chairperson would be allowed to go abroad.

Khaleda is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital for liver cirrhosis after contracting COVID-19. Her family has petitioned the government to allow her to go abroad for treatment.

On November 23, 15 BNP-affiliated lawyers submitted a memorandum to the law minister on the matter.

The law minister said the memorandum would be reviewed, but that it would take time to discuss the matter and reach a decision.