Australia has welcomed the recent statements by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia proposing solutions to Bangladesh’s political challenges. “We encourage all sides to seize this opportunity for peaceful, constructive dialogue on a way forward,” Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Greg Wilcock said in a statement on Tuesday. Australia greatly values its longstanding, thriving relationship with Bangladesh, and looks forward to further partnership as regional countries, the statement said. On Monday, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia offered an alternative formula to form a polls-time government led by a revered person and comprising 10 ex-advisers from the 1996 and 2001 caretaker governments to be chosen by the ruling and opposition parties to hold an inclusive and credible election. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed forming an all-party election-time government to oversee the next general election. – UNB
