Gazipur: Brushing aside BNP’s allegation that the jail authorities are not cooperating with its Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s lawyers to receive her signature on the power of attorney, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Friday said everything is being done as per the jail code.

‘Whenever her signature is required, the papers are placed before her as per the jail code,’ he said while talking to reporters after attending a function organised by Jahangir Alam Education Foundation at the Shaheed Barkat Stadium, reports the UNB.

The minister also said what was sent to Khaleda as per the jail code was done in a proper manner.

Earlier in the day, BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the jail authorities are not cooperating with their chairperson Khaleda Zia’s lawyers to receive her signed Vokalatnama (power of attorney) to move the cases in favour of her, hampering the legal steps.

Replying to a query that BNP is not being allowed to hold public rallies, Asaduzzaman said police do not grant permission for a rally when they think a chaotic situation might be created or there is fear of it. ‘It doesn’t mean that they won’t be allowed any day,’ he added.

Regarding the formation of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, he said a bill to this end will be passed in the upcoming parliament session.

National University Vice-chancellor Prof Harun-or-Rashid, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University VC Prof Dr Md Gias Uddin and Chairman of Gazipur Zila Parishad Akhtaruzzaman, among others, addressed the programme with founding Chairman of the foundation and General Secretary of Gazipur city AL Advocate Jahangir Alam in the chair.

At the programme, scholarships worth Tk 10 crore were distributed among students of different colleges and universities.