UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s offer for dialogue with the opposition for resolving the current political impasse, saying “it’s a brave and noble initiative”.
Visiting Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the United Nations Oscar Fernández-Taranco conveyed Ban’s message to the Prime Minister when he met her at her official residence Ganobhaban on Saturday morning, reports UNB.
PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters after the meeting.
Azad said that the UN Secretary General also praised Sheikh Hasina for her statesmanship role, and condemned the recent violence in Bangladesh.
He said Ban urged the opposition to accept the dialogue offer saying there should not be a pre-condition for dialogue.
Ban also laid emphasis on ensuring a conducive atmosphere towards holding a free, fair and neutral election in the country.
Taranco said that Bangladesh is the symbol of cooperation between the UN and any other member states.
He praised the government for its all-out efforts for the rescue of the victims from the rubble of the collapsed building at Savar as a large number of victims have been rescued alive.
In response, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government strengthened the Election Commission to ensure the voting rights of people.
Hasina mentioned that the President has appointed the commissioners to the Election Commission through a search committee which held discussions with all political parties.
In this context, she mentioned the holding of over 5636 elections, including 16 by-polls of the Jatiya Sangsad, in a free, fair and neutral manner, and said no allegation has been raised about the elections.
In many cases candidates of the opposition parties won the polls, she added.
Hasina told the UN official that UN observers are always welcome to Bangladesh to oversee the situation here.
PM’s Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present during the meeting.