He made the remark when journalists wanted to know about the timing of withdrawal of the emergency promulgated on January 11.

The adviser said many changes have taken place by this time and there is no parliament in existence. "To whom we will hand over power?" he posed a question.

Mainul declined to make any comment on how Awami League could bring out street procession to welcome Sheikh Hasina's homecoming while a state of emergency is still in force.

Earlier, the adviser presided over a meeting of the National Committee on Prevention of Smuggling held at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Replying to a question, he said instruction has been given to update the list of smugglers to effectively combat the crime.

The home secretary, directors-general of BDR, Coast Guard and Rab, divisional commissioners and chairmen of Chittagong and Mongla ports and senior officials of the departments concerned attended the meeting.