Politics
Fakhrul hopeful of peaceful movement's success, as BNP unveils its Indo-Pacific Strategy
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday expressed high hope that the ongoing political crisis in the country will be resolved with the restoration of democracy through their party’s peaceful movement.
“We--all the political parties of this country--have got united on the basis of one-point demand as we want the resignation of this regime and a free and transparent election under a non-partisan neutral poll-time government,” he said.
Speaking at a seminar, the BNP leader said he is confident that they will realise their demands through the united movement with the help of the people.
Read: Fakhrul urges AL to introduce caretaker govt provision in current JS session
“The people of Bangladesh have always won through united efforts and peaceful movements. We believe that the people of Bangladesh will be able to restore democracy through a peaceful movement this time as well,” he said.
BNP arranged the seminar titled 'A Democratic Future for Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific Strategy' at a city hotel. BNP standing committee member and its international relations committee chairman Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the keynote paper at the programme.
Diplomats from different countries, including the USA, the UK, Japan, France, Australia and the European Union, were present at the seminar.
Read: BNP’s only plan is to hold peaceful rally on Oct 28, not to take over streets: Fakhrul
Slamming the government for repressing the opposition leaders and activists, Fakhrul said the nation is passing through the most critical time.
He said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who struggled throughout her entire life for the cause of democracy, is now critically ill without proper treatment due to extreme vengeance of the ruling party.
"Our party’s around 700 people, including three former MPs, have been subjected to enforced disappearance. Our 45 lakh people have been facing false cases. Many of us are being sentenced before the elections so that they can’t participate in the polls,” the BNP leader said.
Read more: In conversations with Hindu community, Fakhrul insists 'return to democracy' as best bet for harmony
He said the government has created a situation in the country where only the Awami League can take part in the election and retain power keeping the opposition parties away from voting.
BNP wants secure and stable Indo-Pacific
In his keynote paper, Khosru said BNP firmly believes democracy and preservation of democratic values will be the bedrock of any commitment to the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
“Our Indo-Pacific vision reflects the desires of the people by prioritizing their interests and aspirations. We pledge to align economically and strategically with democratic nations and institutions and implement domestic initiatives to empower all Bangladeshis with freedom, equality, and prosperity, irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity or politics,” he said.
The BNP leader said their party is dedicated to ensuring a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region while protecting national interests and contributing to collective security.
He said late President Ziaur Rahman, BNP's founder, took the country away from the Soviet bloc and made it a key member of an open, free and democratic world during his rule.
“Bangladesh economy thrived and defied all doomsday predictions largely due to the privatisation drive, free market and globalisation policies undertaken by President Zia and his widow and thrice-former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in the formative years of the country,” the BNP leader observed.
But since 2009, he said the country has been effectively ruled by a corrupt one-party government, propped up by oligarchs and crony capitalists at home and authoritarian regimes abroad. “The challenge for the BNP is now to re-establish a multi-party democracy.”
Khosru said the Indo-Pacific Strategy taken by the democratic world, can be expected to reshape the global security and economic architecture to ensure a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
“We would embrace an Indo-Pacific strategy for a free, open, prosperous, liberal, democratic and secure Indo-Pacific region in an effort to ensure security cooperation, rule-based order, harmony, safe maritime navigation, sustainable development, free trade and resilience to withstand climate, health, pandemic and transnational threats,” he said.
Ganaforum MP Mokabbir says people are worried over next polls
Ganaforum MP Mokabbir Khan on Monday said people of the country are worried about the 12th national election.
He said that not only the investors but also the common people are experiencing unrest and panic.
Also read: All going pear-shaped for Gonoforum
“We have completely destroyed the electoral system for our own benefit. People are worried about the election. The people who own the state want a free, fair and impartial election,” he said while participating in the public opinion verification discussion on the Bangladesh Economic Zone (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Mokabbir Khan thinks that it is necessary to unite everyone again like in 1971 when the people fought for the independence of the country.
Also read: Dr Kamal urges govt to start talks with political parties immediately for credible polls
He said that national unity can be created through free, fair and impartial elections.
“The wheels of the economy will move. Investors’ confidence will return. The country will reach the desired goal. Economic zones will be activated,” he said.
Also read: Lack of effective parliamentary democracy is very sad: Dr Kamal
Regarding the 100 economic zones, Mokabbir Khan said that it was said that 1 crore people will be employed when the work is complete by 2030.
“But that is questionable today. At present domestic and foreign investors are losing interest.”
Referring to a recent survey published by the Japan External Trade Organisation, he said that 71 percent of Japan's large investment companies are not satisfied with the investment environment in the country.
EC solicits international observers for 12th parliamentary elections
The Election Commission on Sunday invited applications from interested international elections observers and media to oversee the 12th parliamentary elections.
The EC issued an official notice inviting applications from international election observers and foreign media organisations by November 21.
The notice, signed by EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, the EC said that the 12th national election is set to be held in the first half of January 2024.
‘We are fully confident, election will be held on time,’ says EC Alamgir
"As you are aware we attach great importance to the observation of the election process for the sake of transparency. All activities are open to observation by the observers," read the notice.
"Bangladesh Election Commission is committed to hold free, fair, credible and peaceful elections at all times. We want foreign election observers and foreign media worldwide along with our local observers to observe our upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections."
It’s people of Bangladesh who will ultimately determine credibility, legitimacy of their elections: IRI-NDI delegation
"We would therefore like to invite international election observers or observer organisations and foreign media intending to observe the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections to apply following the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media' by November 21, 2023."
Next election will be held at any cost: PM tells huge rally in Kawla
The notice said interested election observers or observer organisations and foreign media are requested kindly to follow the clauses 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.1 of the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media' while applying.
The guidelines and related forms are available at www.ecs.gov.bd, added the notice.
Dhaka’s streets to be under AL’s control on October 28: Info Minister
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said Dhaka's streets will be under the control of the Awami League on October 28.
The AL leader made the remarks while talking to reporters at the secretariat on Sunday.
When asked whether the Awami League was feeling pressure due to the BNP's rally, Hasan Mahmud said, “Whether it's a grand rally, a small rally, a medium-sized rally, a road march, a running program, a sit-in protest, or perhaps even a crawling programme in the future, we do not feel pressured by the BNP’s rally.
BNP's road march to drown in Jamuna or Buriganga: Info Minister
“We are the party of the streets, and we will remain active on the streets. Insha'Allah, on the 28th of October, the streets will be under the control of the Awami League,” he added.
Trashing the ruling party leaders’ comments and all speculations, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said their party has only a plan to hold a grand rally peacefully in Dhaka on October 28, not to sit on the streets.
Info Minister says everyone should watch ‘Mujib: The making of a nation’
“It’s (sitting on the streets) completely untrue and propaganda. We didn’t ask our leaders and workers to come to Dhaka and sit on the streets. Rather, we told them that after the program, everyone would go back to their respective places, and they would wait for the next program,” he said.
On October 18, the BNP initially announced their plans to hold a grand rally in the capital on October 28 as part of the final phase of their action program for their ongoing movement to topple the government.
Perpetrators of August 15 need to be punished to honour Sheikh Russel: Info Minister
Fakhrul urges AL to introduce caretaker govt provision in current JS session
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged Awami League to take steps to include the provision of ‘polls-time non-partisan and neutral government' in the constitution in the current session of the parliament to overcome the political crisis.
“Parliament session is going to begin today (Sunday). They (AL) can use this parliament to bring the provisions of neutral non-partisan government and include it in the constitution by passing it in this parliament. Thus they can arrange the election under this constitution what we did (in 1996),” he said.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader said the government needs to take this step to avoid chaos in the country over the election.
Read: BNP’s only plan is to hold peaceful rally on Oct 28, not to take over streets: Fakhrul
"I call upon the Awami League to introduce this system (neutral non-partisan government) in the constitution in this parliament session if it has patriotism, love for the people of the country and a minimum respect for democracy to pave the way for holding the election under a non-party government,” he said.
"Otherwise, Fakhrul warned that the government will be fully responsible for the instability that has already been created in the country.
He alleged that the government does not want the opposition parties to come to the election and free and fair polls to be held in the country in fear of losing power.
The BNP leader said Awami League’s main objective is to establish a one-party system of governance under cover of democracy.
He said the ruling party wants to hold a lopsided election again in the country to cling to power. “But the opposition BNP is the biggest obstacle to implement it.”
Read: BNP seeks DMP permission for Oct 28 rally in Dhaka
Fakhrul alleged that the government is trying to convict the potential BNP candidates to keep them away from the election so that the opposition party cannot fill candidates during the voting. “This is their main goal. They (govt) are taking every step to obstruct the election and create obstacles to a free, fair and inclusive election. It means they are making arrangements so the opposition parties can’t participate in the election.”
Slamming the government for repressing the opposition leaders and activists, he said 47 ‘fictitious’ cases have been filed against 12,370 opposition leaders and activists centring BNP’s October-28 rally in the capital.
“Can you imagine in which state and in which society we live in? More than 560 people have been arrested in those cases,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul alleged that the Prime Minister directly interfered in the judiciary through her statements while inaugurating the newly constructed building of the Bangladesh Bar Council in Dhaka.
He said the Prime Minister said witnesses must be brought in all the cases and the sentence of the accused must be ensured in all the cases. “Her (PM’s) statement has completely proved that the illegal government of Awami League is influencing the judiciary and issuing orders to give dictated verdicts."
We don’t give importance to those: FM on BNP’s progs
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the government does give much importance to BNP’s October 28 programme, noting that a similar programme was seen on December 10.
“These (such progs) come and go. We don’t give importance to those. We are not worried about that,” he told reporters while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affair.
Earlier, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said Dhaka's streets will be under the control of the Awami League on October 28 while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party has only a plan to hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28, not to sit on the streets.
Read: BNP’s wish won’t be fulfilled by threatening to occupy and block roads: Quader
The Foreign Minister urged all not to pay heed to rumors and said people of the country are not illiterate that they will believe those. “People are smart and clever enough. They are knowledgeable.”
Momen said empty vessel sounds much and some people are spreading propaganda against the government.
“First of all, I would like to say – don’t pay heed to rumors. We hear such rumors frequently,” he said.
Read: BNP’s only plan is to hold peaceful rally on Oct 28, not to take over streets: Fakhrul
Momen said even a group spread a rumor that Sajeeb Wazed Joy had to leave the USA and his assets were confiscated. “What a big lie!”
He said it seems that propaganda is at peak these days and some media outlets are helping those who are spreading rumors.
Read: BNP trying to create instability ahead of election: Home Minister
BNP’s wish won’t be fulfilled by threatening to occupy and block roads: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said BNP’s demand will not be fulfilled by threatening to occupy and block roads.
“Threats of arson and violence are emerging. In this situation, the only saviour is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We have to strengthen her hands,” said the minister while speaking at a seminar on the occasion of National Road Safety Day at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Read: Sheikh Hasina is the only leader minorities can count on: Quader
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, made it clear that the next general election will be held as per the constitution.
During his speech, the minister voiced his frustration regarding the continued operation of three-wheelers on the highways and the lack of enforcement of road safety laws.
Quader emphasized the significance of weight limits to safeguard the roads.
Read: Caretaker govt system laid to rest in Azimpur graveyard: Quader
Chairman of the standing committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Rowshan Ara Mannan, president of Bangladesh road transport owners association Mashiur Rahman Ranga, president of Bangladesh road transport workers federation Shajahan Khan and chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai Ilias Kanchan also spoke .
Earlier, on the occasion of Road Safety Day, a rally was taken out to create public awareness to prevent road accidents. The rally circumnavigates from Doyel Chattar to Zero Point of Dhaka University.
BNP’s only plan is to hold peaceful rally on Oct 28, not to take over streets: Fakhrul
Trashing the ruling party leaders’ comments and all speculations, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said their party has only a plan to hold a grand rally peacefully in Dhaka on October 28, not to sit on the streets.
“It’s (sitting on the streets) completely untrue and propaganda. We didn’t ask our leaders and workers to come to Dhaka and sit on the streets. Rather, we told them after the programme on 28th (October), everyone would go back to their respective places and they would wait for the next programme,” he said.
Also read: BNP seeks DMP permission for Oct 28 rally in Dhaka
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also said their party will not announce any such programme for which their leaders and activists will have to stay in Dhaka.
“Our rally on October 28 will be held completely in a peaceful manner. We can assure you that our grand rally will be concluded very peacefully as we did earlier. We’ll take necessary steps in this regard,” he said.
Fakhrul urged the police administration not to create any obstacles anywhere unnecessarily centring the rally and not to snatch the opposition’s democratic rights.
He said they have informed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that they want to hold the rally in front of their Nayapaltan party office and it is now the responsibility of the police authorities to ensure necessary security for the programme.
Also read: In conversations with Hindu community, Fakhrul insists 'return to democracy' as best bet for harmony
The BNP leader hoped that leaders and activists of the BNP would be able to come to the rally from across the country without any obstacles and raise their voices in favour of their demand.
He also called upon the law enforcers not to create any barrier to the opposition’s peaceful movement demanding a free, fair and credible election. If you do that, it will be considered as taking a position against a free and fair election. So, we believe you will keep it in mind and cooperate with us."
Fakhrul said their party has been observing peaceful programmers but the law enforcers have continued filing ‘false’ and ‘ghost’ cases against the opposition leaders and activists.
Also read: BNP's road march to drown in Jamuna or Buriganga: Info Minister
He said nothing happened before and after BNP’s rally at Nayapaltan on Thursday, but ‘false’ and ‘fictitious’ cases have been filed against the party leaders and workers.
“The most shocking thing is that the officials of the law enforcement agencies are threatening to tackle with iron hands if anything happens. If so, then you must take action against those who are filing false cases unlawfully and file cases against the ruling party as the Prime Minister herself issued threats yesterday (Saturday) and Obaidul Quader did it before saying (the opposition’s ) hands will be broken,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul said the law enforcers have been working with the government in unison to eliminate the opposition instead of taking action against the ruling party’s unlawful activities.
Also read: Stay on streets with courage just a few days to oust govt: Fakhrul
Matsyajibi Dal leader in Natore abducted, stabbed
An upazila unit leader of BNP’s associate body Jatiyatabadi Matsyajibi Dal was abducted and stabbed by miscreants in Sadar upazila of Natore last night.
Abu Raihan, 40, is the president of the upazila chapter of Matsyajibi Dal, Natore district unit BNP’s Convenor Shahidul Islam Bachhu said.
Locals said some miscreants picked Raihan up in a microbus when he was having tea at a stall at Mirzapur Bazar of the upazila around 8 pm. The miscreants opened fire when locals tried to stop them.
Read: Anti Terrorism Unit rescues abducted victim from South Banasree; 5 held
Raihan was left by a road in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi after he was stabbed with sharp weapons.
Locals first took him to Puthia Upazila Health Complex and later he was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Read: 4 people abducted by ‘UPDF’ men rescued in Khagrachhari
Nasim Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar police station, said they heard about the matter and were looking for it.
Read more: Abducted from Dhaka, teenage boy found dead in Ctg
May this Durga Puja bring the end of evil forces and let people prosper in an inclusive society: Sajeeb Wazed
Sajeeb Wazed, ICT Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, extended puja greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja, with a vow to eliminate the menace of communalism.
“May this Puja bring the end of evil forces and let people prosper in an inclusive and peaceful society,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Read: Guard Durga puja mandaps across the country: Quader to AL activists
He also reiterated the message of communal harmony spearheaded by Awami League’s motto: “Religion for individuals, festival for all.”
Read: Durga Puja set to begin Friday
“Wishing everyone a very happy Durga Puja,” wrote Sajeeb Wazed.
Read more: No specific security threat during Durga puja: DMP chief