‘Khaleda willingly went to private hospital, govt has no responsibility’

Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud has said that BNP leader Khaleda Zia willingly went to a private hospital so the government is not responsible for her treatment there. 

The foreign minister said this on Thursday in responding to a question from journalists about the recent remark of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi over Begum Zia's treatment.

After unveiling the cover of the research book ‘Higher Education in Bangladesh’ written by Dr. Subal Rosario and the play ‘Ami Pritilata’ written by drama personality Jewel Kabir, the minister answered the questions of the journalists. 

Publisher Safiq Rahman delivered the welcome speech on the occasion.

While asked about the recently signed Dhaka-Delhi's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on train movement between Bangladesh and India, the minister said it (the MoU) was signed based on the spirit of regional connectivity.

"Only a MoU was signed, any agreement is yet to be inked on this ... we are thinking about regional connectivity where train service will not only run from Bangladesh to India, it will also run from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan," he said. 

The minister pointed out that the railway connectivity between Dhaka and Kolkata, Dhaka and Siliguri and Khulna and Kolkata have been under operation. 

"No one complained yet on the railway connectivity with India, everyone is happy," he said, adding that it would be beneficial for both the neighbour countries if the rail connection is extended further. 

The minister said India has already allowed Bangladesh to transmit hydroelectricity over its territory while Delhi showed its willingness to allow goods transportation between Bangladesh and Nepal, Bhutan using Indian soil. 

In response to a question about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Wednesday speech in Parliament regarding the repatriation of BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from London, Dr. Hasan said that the foreign ministry has been engaged in discussion with the UK government in this regard. 

"We do not have an extradition treaty with the UK, which is an obstacle. However, efforts to bring him (Tarique) back as a convicted criminal are going on," he added.