The gazette regarding the dearness allowance (DA) as recommended by the 9th wage board for journalists will be issued soon after the return of the prime minister from abroad, said Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday.

The minister was addressing a meeting with reporters at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) auditorium.

In a reference to his ministry's work, he said they had worked on framing and updating media related laws. “They would be placed in parliament in the next session,” he added.

Responding to questions about certain sections in the proposed cyber security law, he said the government is open to suggestions from all stakeholders or citizens.

Referring to allegations brought by BNP about the imprisonment of Khaleda Zia being a tactic to keep BNP out of the electoral process, Inu said, “It

[imprisonment] is a matter to be settled by the courts. We've nothing to do with it, holding of elections is the responsibility of the Election Commission.”

He also said once the election schedule is announced the government does not and will not do anything that may have a bearing on the election.

Replying to a question about the participation of BNP and other political parties, he said, “Participation could not be made conditional on the release of any particular person, as she [Khaleda] had been convicted by an open court.”

Explaining their alliance with Jatiya Party, he said, “Ershad was agreed on our programmes, including the trial of war criminals; therefore, we agreed to make an alliance with him.”