The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The issue of release of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is hanging over her decision, as to whether she prefers to be freed on parole or after getting bail in all four cases.

Sources said, Begum Zia has to apply for her release if she wants to get release on parole like another former prime minister and Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina, now in USA for treatment.

Though a number of advisers of the Caretaker Government, including Adviser for Education and Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Adviser for Communications Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader, earlier told journalists that the procedure for the release of Begum Zia was at the final stage, the denial of Begum Zia to apply to this end is learnt to have delayed the process.

Sources said the government prefers that Begum Zia would apply to get her release on parole since it has no jurisdiction on the courts. If Begum Zia continues her denial in applying for the release, any of her relatives or lawyers has to apply on behalf of her.

Four graft cases, including GATCO and NIKO, have been pending against Khaleda Zia who was arrested on September 2 last year.

The government presumably wants unity between the two factions of the BNP for creating level-playing field between the two major parties in the country-BNP and Awami League-before the coming parliamentary elections to make it credible.

Begum Zia also has given directives to her party leaders to go ahead to bridge the gap between the party's rank and file.

Party sources said being instructed by party Chairperson some senior leaders have recently taken the fresh imitative for the unity.

As part of the measures, about 50 former BNP lawmakers sat twice at the residence of Shah Nurul Kabir Shahin in Gulshan in last few days.

The meetings discussed the unity process of the party and the way to free party chief Begum Zia and her son and party senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman.

Shahin told this Correspondent that the next meeting of the party's former MPs is likely to be held at his residence on Sunday next.

"Former party lawmakers irrespective of reformist or pro-Khaleda, are attending the meetings willingly," he said hoping that they would be able to ensure freedom of their leaders.

When contacted, Begum Zia's lawyer Shimul Biswas told The New Nation that no decision has yet been taken to apply for the release of Begum Zia on behalf of her family or lawyers.