The government will issue a caution to media outlets regarding the broadcast of interviews given by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in a case involving crimes against humanity, said Zahed ur Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on Policy and Strategy.
He made the remarks during the regular weekly briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, in response to questions from journalists.
“There is a court order restricting the broadcast of Sheikh Hasina’s statements. However, several newspapers in the country have published her interview. Such publication is in violation of the court’s directive, and the media should refrain from this in respect of the law and the judiciary,” the adviser said.
In an interview given to Indian news outlet NDTV this week, Sheikh Hasina said she would return to the country this year. The interview was widely published across several media outlets in Bangladesh.
Zahed said the current government would not take a hardline approach but urged all to comply with court directives.
At the press briefing, journalists also raised questions regarding the ongoing processions by Awami League activists.
In response, Zahed said, “As long as the Awami League’s activities remain banned, they will not be able to engage in politics under any name. Whether it is ‘refined Awami League’, ‘new Awami League’ or ‘grassroots Awami League’, they will not be allowed to carry out any political programme in the name of the Awami League.”
On reports of the simultaneous hoisting of flags bearing Arabic script across the country, the adviser said the government had no involvement in the incident. He added that it could raise questions about Bangladesh’s image in the international arena.
He further noted that since the matter had spread widely, there could be underlying factors behind it, which the Ministry of Home Affairs was investigating.
In response to another question, Zahed said the government would look into allegations of over Tk12,000 crore in corruption during the tenure of the interim administration.
He said, “Both sides of the government could be involved in this alleged Tk12,000 crore corruption. One side is state officials, the other is advisers. There is the Anti-Corruption Commission in the country; it will surely take action against those responsible. I am not saying they have committed corruption, nor am I saying they have not.”
A recent report by Transparency International said that during the interim government period, from November 2024 to October 2025, a total of Tk12,633.20 crore was allegedly exchanged in bribes across various service sectors.
Zahed also reiterated the government’s firm stance on the Teesta master plan with Chinese cooperation, saying, “As an independent and sovereign state, Bangladesh will implement the Teesta project in line with the interests of its people. No other country has any basis for concern over this.”
