"The attack on Hasina was the attack on democracy and it should be investigated properly and neutrally. Proper and neutral investigation is a must for political stability in Bangladesh," said Awami League MP Syed Abul Hossain quoting the Chinese diplomat.

Hasina told the Chinese Charge d'affaires that this was a "planned attack against the secular democratic forces in Bangladesh and international neutral probe is needed without involvement of the government".

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil MP, Hasina's Political Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Bangladesh Manabadhikar Samannay Parishad, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bangladesh Ahaley Sunnat Wall Jamayat also called on Sheikh Hasina at her residence yesterday.

Benazir Bhutto
Meanwhile, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto yesterday expressed her deep concern and sorrow over the grenade attack on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and her party workers at a rally in Dhaka on August 21.

"Unfortunately political violence and hatred has overtaken tolerance," Benazir said in a message yesterday to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina who escaped narrowly the assassination attempt on August 21.

On behalf of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and herself, She expressed sympathies for the bereaved families of those killed in the attack and hoped for speedy recovery of those injured.