Shahriar Alam: No more sanctions ahead of national polls

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday reiterated that there is no possibility of any punitive measures by any country against Bangladesh before the next national election.

"Not at all," he told reporters when his attention was drawn to media reports that suggest likely economic sanctions on Bangladesh.

Ruling out any such possibility of economic or trade sanctions, Shahriar said they do not know from where they got such things.

Referring to his ten years of experience in the Foreign Office, the state minister said it was done in a planned manner to create panic and fear among the people.

He urged the media to judge things on their own merits, based on facts, by discussing them with officials from the relevant countries, as vested groups might capitalize on such fear.

He talked to reporters at State Guest House Padma after his meeting with Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Diana Janse.

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen urged all to ignore rumours over new US sanctions, noting that there has been no discussion on this in Washington.

"For God's sake, do not destroy your sleep thinking of those (rumours)," Momen told reporters when his attention was drawn about some media reports indicating new phase of US sanctions on individuals.

"We were in the US...not a single person did tell us that a tornado is coming. You cook it up. They (US) only want free and fair elections. Even the words - participatory or caretaker government - were not uttered," Momen said while responding to a question.

Source: UNB