Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said Wednesday that his administration was initiating efforts to release former prime minister Khaleda Zia as early as possible.
"The procedure to release detained BNP chairperson through a normal process is going on. The government is considering the process as early as possible," Fakhruddin told reporters after a cabinet meeting, held at the Circuit House Auditorium in Chittagong.
Asked about the withdrawal of the state of emergency prior to upazila polls the CA said: "The recent local polls were held properly."
"That experience will be taken into consideration to decide if the emergency can be similarly relaxed for the upazila polls."
"The government will consider relaxing emergency if any recommendations come on the matter," he said.
Fakhruddin ruled out allegations by different quarters that the government was drifting away from its anti-graft drive.
"People may think so, but the accused people are being tried through the legal process," he said.
The matter of granting bail is the concern of the judiciary, Fakhruddin added.
The CA said: "The government is taking a tough line on corruption, but its main aim is holding a free and fair election."
"The government wants an election with the participation of all political parties. For that it is working with overall issues," he added.
Subject: Govt efforts on to release Khaleda soon: Chief adviser ................... 
Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:00 pm
