Attorney General Mahbubey Alam today said seeking the court's opinion to suspend jail sentence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and release her from jail is not mandatory for the government.

He mentioned that the government has decided to suspend the jail sentence of Khaleda as per section 401 (1) of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC).

But according to section 401 (2) of CrPC, the government may seek the court's opinion before suspending any jail term, the AG told The Daily Star when asked about the process.

Mahbubey Alam also said the government has decided to suspend the jail sentence of Khaleda, not to fully exempt her from the punishment.

The government yesterday said Khaleda would be released for six months on two conditions.

She has to stay at her Dhaka home and cannot leave the country, Law Minister Anisul Huq said during the announcement yesterday.