AL not concerned by US announcement of visa curbs: agriculture minister

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said the Awami League was not concerned by the US visa curbs as they were not imposed on any particular party.

"It's a message for all," he said at a briefing after a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen at the ministry in the Secretariat.

The US visa restriction will be applicable to unconstitutional forces and all political parties that thwart democracy, he said.

Razzaque pointed out that some political parties tried to foil the democratic process in 2014.

"I believe BNP, Jatiya Party and others will participate in the election," he said.

Replying to a question, he said the government is giving importance to the issue.

"We'll do our job to uphold democracy," he said.

At the meeting with the Chinese ambassador, both sides discussed the development of the agriculture sector.

The US yesterday announced that it would impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members "if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh".