The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The demand for the release of two detained former primers-Begum Khaleda Zia of BNP and Sheikh Hasina of Awami League is likely to figure in the agenda during the government formal dialogue with the political parties.

Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives M Anwarul Iqbal said this yesterday while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

"We are not discussing the release of the two leaders in the informal talks rather we are now setting the modality of formal dialogue," he said.

Adviser for Communications Ghulam Quader told reporters that they are hopeful about the success of the dialogue.

Replying to a question he said the informal talks would be completed soon.

The government has so far held informal talks with Awami League, a faction of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party.

Regarding informal talks with the pro-Khaleda faction of BNP he said the government would have discussion with the BNP faction when its leaders join them for talks.

Asked if the political parties' demand to free their leaders would hamper the dialogue, the Adviser replied in the negative saying, "Our talks were neither hampered nor went in vain."

He said, "We are receiving feedback from the political parties."

Advisers Ghulam Quader and Anwarul Iqbal, are among the five advisers of the Caretaker government who are leading the informal talks on behalf of the government.