Dhaka: Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday urged the opposition political parties to join upcoming 17th session of the ninth parliament that begins on April 21.

"It is the expectation of all that the opposition will join the upcoming parliament session and participate in the process of electing new president of the republic," Quader said while talking to journalists here.

Emerging from an agreement signing ceremony between MONICA-CPC and Roads and Highways Department regarding reconstruction of bridge at Sarak Bhaban in the capital, he stressed on solving all problems through discussion in the parliament.

"We will be able to solve all sorts of crisis through a discussion in the Jatiya Sangsad," he said.

Referring to the frequent hartal called by opposition and its allies, the minister laid emphasis to find alternative way instead of general strike to press home their demands.

"Hartal increases sufferings of the people and it poses a negative impact on economy, so all should find out alternatives of hartal," he added.

Ends/AMA/09/04/13