BANGLADESH

The 12th session of the ninth parliament, to begin on Wednesday, will end on March 8.

The Business Advisory Committee of parliament took the decision on the length of the session in a meeting on Tuesday, law minister Shafique Ahmed, who took part in the meeting on special invitation, told reporters.

Committee member Khaleda Zia, the opposition chief, skipped the meeting chaired by speaker Abdul Hamid.

The opposition MPs, who are absent in parliament for 53 working days on average, are not in risk of losing their membership of parliament in case of not attending the session with 27 working days.

According to law, membership of parliament is cancelled if an MP remains absent in parliament sessions for 90 consecutive working days.

The opposition MPs have been absent in seven of 11 sessions of the ninth parliament.

Their last attendance in parliament had taken place on Mar 24 last year. After a 74-day hiatus, BNP had joined the eighth session on Mar 15 the same year.

Earlier on Tuesday, chief whip Abdus Shahid expressed his hope that the boycotting opposition MPs will return to parliament to keep their membership.

Opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said the opposition will consider returning only after a 'congenial atmosphere' is created by placing the caretaker government bill.

In line with rules, the president addresses parliament in the first session every year and MPs take part in discussion welcoming the president's speech.