Journalist Rozina’s bail proves total independence of judiciary: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said granting bail to journalist Rozina Islam proves that the court is totally independent and there is no intervention of the government in this regard.

"Granting bail to Journalist Rozina Islam by the court has made it evident that the court is totally independent …and the government has no intervention in the judiciary," he said, connecting to an online discussion on 'UN Global Road Safety Week' from his official residence here this morning.

Terming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government as a journalist friendly government, Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said, "None except Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government actually did anything for the journalists and newspaper industry after 1975."

But the BNP that showed sympathy to the journalists over the issue of journalist Rozina, who was taken behind bar under the Official Secrets Act on May 17, had filed many cases against the journalists when the party was in power, Quader told the function.

Talking on lifting embargo on inter-district transports, the minister said, "The long route vehicles are allowed to ply countrywide from tomorrow taking passengers on board half of its total seat capacity. But they have to ensure wearing musk by the passengers hundred percent. Even the vehicles must be sterilized with anti-septic spray."

Noting that ensuring road safety is a big challenge, he said road safety is not possible only through implementing the mega projects or upgrading highways if discipline is not restored in the road and transports.

Quader confidently said that the largest development has taken place in the communication sector in last 10 years and this type of development did not happen in the country in the past.

The big projects like Padma Bridge, Metro Rail and Kornophuly tunnel are now underway and expected to be inaugurated in next year, the minister told the function.

Beside, construction of a good number of flyovers in the country is a success of this government, he added.