Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday has said the government would separately investigate the role of the then prime minister, Khaleda Zia, and Hawa Bhaban [bigwig] in smuggling of the 10-truck arms. .
The premier made the announcement while answering the queries of ruling party lawmakers at the first session of the 10th Parliament on Tuesday evening.
While responding to the requests of some Awami league lawmakers, she said: “The government will separately probe into the roles of the then premier, Khaleda Zia, and the bigwigs of Hawa Bhaban in the 10 truck arms haul case.
Although, the trial of the case has been completed, an inquiry is required to find out the masterminds," she added.
A number of ruling party lawmakers questioned the role of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the arms haul case. Mentioning that the arms haul issue is a sensitive matter for the country’s security; they urged the premier to bring Khaleda Zia under trial for her “involvement” in the case.
Earlier in the day, a Chittagong court observed that the role of the then prime minister [Khaleda Zia] over the sensational 10-truck arms haul was "mysterious."
It said the then director general of the DGFI Maj Gen (retd) Sadik Hasan Rumi phoned Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to inform her about the arms haul, however Khaleda did not express any reaction only saying that she had been informed.
Being informed of such an immense incident, the silent role of the then prime minister is mysterious, it added.