DHAKA, Nov 29, 2021 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan
Mahmud today said the statement of doctors over Begum Khaleda Zia's health
issue is influenced by BNP.

"It is clear that BNP has influenced the statements of doctors for
political purposes. In addition, most of the doctors, who gave the
statements, are involved with the politics of BNP," he told reporters at the
meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat here.

Hasan said, "I saw in television that executive director of Ziaur Rahman
Foundation Professor Dr Farhad Halim Donar gave a statement. The Doctors
Association of Bangladesh also issued another statement as well as another
doctor conducted a press conference yesterday."

"All of them are involved with the politics of BNP. And these doctors told
that the treatment will be possible in the United Kingdom only," he said.

Besides, the doctor told that the treatment of Khaleda Zia is also
available in Germany and the USA, he said, adding there is no treatment in
India, Singapore and Bangkok according to the doctors.

But the reality is that many people go to Singapore and Bangkok from Europe
and the USA to receive these types of treatments, he said, adding "How the
doctor told that the treatment is available only in the United Kingdom where
Tarique Rahman is staying and his neighbouring states- Germany and the USA?."

Replying to a query over a comment of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul
Islam Alamgir, the minister said if the BNP secretary general made such
comments then they are plotting to create anarchy across the country.

"And I think a criminal case can be lodged against him for his statement
as he confessed that he is planning for creating instability. They created
much chaos in the past. But the countrymen would not allow them to create
instability more" he added.

It is mentionable that Mirza Fakhrul has said that tougher movement would
be waged if Khaleda Zia is not sent abroad for treatment.

Earlier, the minister met the representatives of the TV Cable Network
Operator.

About the meeting with the cable operators, Hasan said the operators have
taken preparations and set up digital heads in metropolitan cities including
Dhaka and Chattogram. The operating system will be digitised if every
customer has the set-top box and the customers will be able to watch TV
without interruptions, he added.

Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said the minister said
the government will also be benefitted as it would be able to earn Taka 15
crore to Taka 18 crore as revenue each year.

Information and Broadcasting secretary Md Mokbul Hossain, Bangladesh
Television director general Md Soharab Hossain, additional secretary Khadija
Begum, COAB administrator and representatives of Akash DTH, Nation Wide
Media, Jadu Vision, One Alliance COAB Oikkya Parishad and Somonnoy Parishad
and Muktodhara Foundation attended the meeting.

Later in the evening, Hasan inaugurated the digital lab of Dhaka Reporters
Unity marking the annual general meeting of the organization at Segunbagicha
here.