Rangpur, Dec 05 (V7N) – Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain has said that he has no information regarding BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. He also stated that India has given no positive response so far to Bangladesh’s request to send former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to the country.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Rangpur Circuit House at 10:30 am on Friday.

Responding to questions from journalists about Tarique Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia’s possible departure for London, the advisor said, “I have no information about Tarique Rahman’s return.” He added that Khaleda Zia’s foreign trip might be delayed by a day due to a technical issue with the aircraft.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s return, Touhid Hossain said,
“We want Sheikh Hasina back as she is a convicted person. The highest court has given its verdict. But we have not received any positive response so far.”

He further noted that such matters do not progress within a day or a week.
“We will wait. I want to see what response we get from the Indian authorities. I have seen that they are examining the matter. Let them conduct their review.”

On Arakan Army and Fishermen Incident

Addressing the issue of Bangladeshi fishermen allegedly captured by the Arakan Army, he said Bangladesh cannot hold bilateral talks with the group as it is not a recognized state entity.
“We can discuss matters with Myanmar, Thailand, or India as states, but not with a non-state group,” he said. Several measures have been taken to prevent such incidents from recurring, he added.

Advisor’s Rangpur Schedule

Touhid Hossain arrived in Rangpur on Thursday evening. He will visit multiple institutions under the ministry on Friday. On Saturday morning, he will attend a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and visit Rangpur Cadet College in the afternoon.

On Sunday morning, he will address a discussion program at the Magura High School grounds in Nilphamari and return to Dhaka later in the day.

END/SMA/AJ