‘Isn’t allowing Khaleda to stay at home enough?’

Regarding the medical treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that she has done her best, as much as she could, and now the matter is in the hands of the law.

The prime minister said this while replying to a reporter's query at a press conference at her official residence Gono Bhaban.

The PM was asked: "Will you take any action regarding treatment of the former Leader of the Opposition, which is a topic of discussion now?"

In response, Hasina said, "Isn't it enough that I allowed Khaleda Zia to stay at home instead of jail and get medical treatment? If someone tried to kill you, would you put a garland around their neck? Or, what would you do if someone killed your family members, and the killer was rewarded, instead of trial, and given jobs in different embassies?"

The prime minister continued, "The murderer was allowed to sit in the parliament through the February 1996 election… Col Rashid was placed there in the parliament."

"After the August 21 grenade attack, it was said that I had tried to kill myself by carrying a grenade in my bag… They said that Sheikh Hasina would not even be the leader of the opposition, let alone the prime minister. They were convinced I would die," she said.

"But who can kill when Allah saves?"

"Despite these (you all), ask me to show generosity towards Khaleda Zia.

"(People) who killed my father, mother, brothers, even my youngest brother Russel…. Even then, we are not inhumane... We arranged for her to be treated at home, at least, as far as my executive authority is concerned. The rest is legal matter," she said.