Dhaka, Feb 18 (UNB) – United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has written letters to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking their joint efforts to resolve the ongoing political crisis to maintain Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic progress. However, it could not be confirmed whether he called for dialogue between the two leaders as means of solution. When asked whether the UN chief has called for dialogue, UN Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary General Farhan Haq told UNB that the UN chief has written to the two leaders recently. “The Secretary General has recently sent letters to the two leaders, saying that Oscar Fernandez Taranco is acting on his behalf,” he said in an email communication on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Farhan Haq at a news briefing said there is presently no plan at this point for Fernández-Taranco to come to Bangladesh. “He has been there before. He has been tasked by the Secretary-General to be in contact with the government and the opposition and he will continue with those efforts. But, at this point, like I said, there’s no travel to announce,” he added. Responding to another question, he said they have expressed concern over the loss of lives and violence that have occurred in Bangladesh since the start of this year. “The Secretary-General is personally committed to the stability and development of Bangladesh, which is one of the close partners of the United Nations, and has given this commitment, he reiterated his calling for a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” he added. State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam said the government is taking preparation to give reply to the letter of the UN chief.
