Different political parties meet Peter Haas

 
Different political parties including Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party had meetings with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Thursday following the declaration that US visa will not be issued if free and fair elections are not held in Bangladesh. The above parties met Peter Haas at his residence in the capital's Gulshan for around two hours.

Awami League was represented by the party's Information and Research Affairs Secretary Selim Mahmud and central Awami League leader Md. A Arafat. BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and BNP International Affairs Committee member Shama Obayed attended the meeting with Peter Haas. Jatiya Party's Secretary General Mujbul Haque Chunnu and presidium member Major (Retd) Rana Mohammad Sohel took part in the meeting with the US Ambassador.

No Awami League leader spoke to journalists at the end of the meeting. However BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said to reporters, "The new US visa policy is a reflection of the concern of international quarters over smooth elections in Bangladesh. It's a big step ahead for uninterrupted and fair elections in our country. We welcome this move."

Jatiya Party leader Mujibul Haque Chunnu said, "The United States wants Bangladesh to hold a free, fair and competitive election in Bangladesh. We also want the same thing."

The US Embassy posted on their official Facebook page that USA supports free and fair polls. US visa will be restricted for the individuals who obstruct democratic process, the US Embassy stated.