Hossain Zillur upbeat about talks progress

Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said the ongoing dialogues between the caretaker government and political parties and other stakeholders have already yielded consensus on four factors fundamental to transition into a stable democratic order from the present interim regime.
These are political reforms, post-election stability, strengthening local government and more democratisation of constitutional and institutional power structure.
Zillur was speaking at a joint press briefing over the outcome of yesterday's talks between the government and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish at the Chief Adviser's Office, which lasted about two hours from 10:30am.
He informed the newsmen that Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed would join June 28 regional dialogue in Chittagong with representatives of different stakeholders.
He said regional dialogue will also be held in Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Rangpur. He also informed the government is also thinking about holding advisory council meeting on the sidelines of the regional dialogue.
Replying to a question about the participation of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the dialogue, the education adviser said invitation has been given to the parties and they were waiting for their reply. “Government efforts are continuing to bring all to the dialogue.”
Regarding the much-talked-about releases of detained former prime minister BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her two sons, the adviser said the government is monitoring the matter closely and examining the legal process. He hoped there would be a “positive solution”.
Speaking at the joint briefing, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Yusuf Ashraf said they proposed holding the parliamentary election in October, two months ahead of the tentative timeframe, so that all hajj pilgrims could cast their vote.
The Khelafat Majlish opposed the Election Commission-set conditions for political parties' registration terming it contrary to the constitution.
The Islamist party put forward a 21- point demand in the dialogue. The demands include the lifting of the sate of emergency and all restrictions on activities of political parties, and strengthening the anti-corruption drive with caution so that innocent people are not harassed.
On the National Women Development Policy 2008, the party demanded clear stand of the government and immediate implementation of the recommendations of the review committee.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed along with the advisers concerned was present at the meeting.
Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Khelafat Majlish leaders Ashraf Ali, Abdur Rab Yusufi, Nizamuddin, Toffazel Huq, Reazul Karim Jalali and Mahmudul Huq were present at the dialogue and the joint press briefing.