April 27, 2007	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 09, 1428

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s feuding political parties proclaimed a “people’s victory” on Thursday after the army-backed interim government lifted a ban on former prime minister Sheikh Hasina returning home.

They also expressed relief after the government confirmed that Begum Khaleda Zia, the most recent prime minister, is not being pressed to go into exile.

“It’s a people’s victory,” said Hannan Shah, a senior leader of Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Local media said Khaleda Zia had been under virtual house arrest, but the government says her movements are not being restricted.

The army-backed caretaker government issued an order last week barring Hasina from returning to Bangladesh after a holiday in the United States. She was prevented from boarding a plane in London on Sunday, but is expected back in Bangladesh soon.

“lt has been reasserted that people’s democratic and fundamental rights cannot be robbed,” Abdul Jalil, general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League, said.

Hasina still faces a charge of aiding and abetting the killing of several people during a violent political protest in October.—Reuters