politics
Withdrawal of envoys’ police escort ‘extremely irresponsible’ move: BNP
BNP on Tuesday termed ‘extremely irresponsible’ the government’s move to withdraw the additional police escorts for the envoys of different countries, including the USA, the UK, and India, saying it may weaken the country’s international relations.
“I think there’re two things--extreme irresponsibility and arrogance-- behind the decision to withdraw the additional security escorts for the six ambassadors and high commissioners,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he feared that the government’s such decision can invite international problems and the people of Bangladesh will be the ultimate victims. “So, I consider this decision nothing but irresponsible.”
Also read: Govt to offer alternative facilities by Ansar to foreign missions: FS
"Secondly, the (PM’s) arrogance has reached such a point that it may cause the greatest harm for the country…may be she (PM) didn't get the proper protocol during her recent tours abroad that prompted her to take the move as a protest or as a revenge,” the BNP leader observed.
He said the foreign envoys have been getting the additional police protocol in Bangladesh for a long time. “The abrupt cancellation of that protocol means something is very wrong with these countries. There’s no doubt that it’ll damage the international relations of Bangladesh.”
Voicing concern over this decision of the government, Fakhrul said it may make Bangladesh more isolated in terms of diplomacy, which he thinks will be a big loss for Bangladesh. “The people of Bangladesh have to suffer the consequences or after-effects of this decision.”
He also feared that if the USA, the UK, and other countries take any countermeasures in this regard it will cause damage to the people of Bangladesh. "If Saudi Arabia, which has always supported Bangladesh, takes any action, it will also be harmful to us. Even, I saw that India is also in it. Japan and Australia are our development partners are also there.’”
“Undoubtedly, a big change will now happen in Bangladesh's international relations and it will never bring any good results,” the BNP leader warned.
Also read: No additional security escorts for foreign diplomats with taxpayers’ money: Momen
PM’s comment on polls-time govt immaterial
Fakhrul turned down Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s comment on the formation of the polls-time government with the current parliament members as BNP wants a non-party neutral caretaker government.
He said they have long been on a movement to establish a truly representative parliament. “This will not happen if this government stays in power.”
The BNP leader said they have been repeatedly saying that the next elections must be held under a caretaker government.
Also Read: Withdrawal of additional police escort won’t affect bilateral ties: FS
"It’s immaterial whether or not they (AL) form the election-time government. It doesn't matter to us. We want a non-party-neutral government. We don't want to see any partisan people there," he said.
Asked whether their party’s decision to resign from parliament wrong one, Fakhrul said it was a very right decision. “Because, this parliament has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the nation. There was no representation of the people in this parliament as it was not elected one.”
BNP more focused on ballot stuffing, capturing state power than on public safety: Joy
Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said historically, BNP holds a sordid record of refraining from standing beside people especially during mighty disasters that swept across the county.
“It can be safely said the party is more focused on ballot stuffing and capturing state power than on public safety,” he said in a Facebook post from his verified account.
As the cyclone Mocha hit Bangladesh fiercely, the entire state machinery, alongside Awami League, undertook an all-out evacuation scheme, Joy said.
But, Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders and activists turned a blind eye to safety of people in the costal belt who were prone to the disaster, he mentioned.
“And such apathy to public welfare is nothing new on part of BNP,” Joy said in his Facebook post that contained a video.
“Take a look at this video and decide if BNP really takes public safety into account,” he said.
BNP chalks out 13-day programme to observe Zia's 42nd death anniversary
BNP on Tuesday chalked out a 13-day programme to observe the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and leader Ziaur Rahman with due respect.
The observance of the anniversary will begin on May 29 and end on June 10.
The programmes were finalized at a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies held at its Nayapaltan central office with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
After the meeting, Fakhrul announced the programmes that include discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions and wearing black badges, paying homage to Zia, and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman, a military-ruler-turned-president, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
As part of the programmes, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on May 30.
Besides, party leaders and activists, led by senior leaders, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities, from May 29 to June 10 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
The party leaders of Dhaka's south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city on May 30.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes.
BNP fears severe economic crisis soon due to dollar crunch
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday feared that the country will face a severe economic crisis in the days to come due to the dollar crisis.
“This is the reality that coal can’t be imported due to the dollar crunch. Not only this, but the traders are also unable to import the necessary goods due to the lack of dollars. The amount of reserves has decreased so much that it is now not possible to import goods,” he said.
Talking to reporters after a meeting at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul also said Bangladesh is currently in an economic crisis. “The reserves have depleted so much that an extreme financial crisis in the country is now only a matter of time.”
He said the dollar crisis will deepen further a few days later when the government will have to repay the loan taken for the Padma Bridge.
Besides, the BNP leader said the country will have to repay Tk15,000 crores from next year for constructing a new third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. “We don’t know from where that money will come.”
He said the Prime Minister tried to give the nation an impression through her press conference that her recent visit to three countries was successful.
“But as far as we know through national and international media, the result of this visit is almost zero. Deals were signed with Japan regarding the business and trade as per pre-discussion. She went to the United States mainly to address a seminar marking the 50-year partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank. It’s very unlikely for the Prime Minister of the country to join such a seminar,” Fakhrul observed.
He also said the Prime Minister went to the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III where she met the new British Prime Minister and the King as a normal head of government. “We are not aware of any special achievements she gained there either."
Referring to the Prime Minister’s comment on not importing goods from the country that imposed sanctions on RAB, the BNP leader also wanted to know as to why the Prime Minister has been suddenly spitting venom against the US.
“We wonder why she is suddenly complaining about that sanction after so long. She knows well how the sanctions are imposed. We all know what Bangladesh buys from the United States and its volume. So, we can easily understand that she made such a comment as she is probably irritated for some reasons that are unknown to us,” he observed.
About the government’s decision to cancel special protocol for the envoys of the US and the UK, Fakhrul said the government is angry with the Western countries out of its fear of losing power.
He, however, hoped that the relations of the people of Bangladesh with any country of the world will not be dented.
The BNP leader also slammed the government for the current frequent power cuts and said the government is destroying the power sectors by indulging in corruption and plundering.
It’s govt’s far-reaching political conspiracy, says Fakhrul about fresh case against Zia
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the filing of a case involving Ziaur Rahman in the killing of three freedom fighter army officers, including Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda Bir Bikram, in November, 1975 is part of a "far-reaching political conspiracy of the government".
“A complete omnipresent lie was brought to the fore again after 48 years. It’s totally intentional. The only purpose behind it is to mislead people when they (people) have started taking to the streets to restore their democratic rights,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said the case was filed also to confuse people as there is a strong national and international pressure on the government to hold the next election under an impartial government.”
"An attempt is being made to mislead the nation by raising such a falsehood and a 48-year-old issue. They (govt) have a far-reaching political conspiracy behind this. This is part of their plot,” he observed.
Earlier on Thursday, Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda Bir Bikram’s daughter Naheed Izaher Khan filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in Dhaka over the killing of her father on November 7, 1975.
In the case, Naheed made Maj (retd) Abdul Jalil of the 10th East Bengal Regiment accused and claimed that the killing was carried out as per Ziaur Rahman's instruction.
Protesting the filing of the case against their party founder, Fakhrul said Naheed, an MP of the current parliament formed through the night-time rigged voting and a beneficiary of the current ‘fascist‘ government led by Sheikh Hasina, may not have read the book written by her own mother Nilufar Huda about the incident happened on November 7, 1975.
In her book titled “The War of Colonel Huda and Me”, he said Nilufar Huda clearly mentioned that Ziaur Rahmann ordered Colonel Nawazish that day to protect Khaleda Musharraf, Col Nazmul Al-Huda and Major ATM Haider.
On page no. 134 of the book written by Nilufar Huda, the BNP leader said the involvement of Colonel Taher (Abu Taher) behind the killing (of three army officers) was described in clear language.
“It was also revealed (in the book) that JSD Ganobahini circulated among the members of the army that Col Huda and others were Indian spies as per the instruction of Col Taher, four days before the killing incident. “Major General Amin Ahmed Chowdhury also wrote the same in the introduction to the book,” he said.
Fakhrul bemoaned the cruel irony of history is that Col Huda's daughter Naheed is raising her voice in the same tune with her father's ‘killers’ JSD- Ganobahini deputy chief Hasanul Haque Inu and Colonel Taher's brother Waresat Hossain Belal as MPs of a Parliament.
“She made Ziaur Rahman accused of ordering the killing of her father, who actually had given the order to save her father… In fact, Naheed Izaher Khan has filed a case against martyred President Ziaur Rahman mentioning him as order giver for her father's killing as she was used as a pawn of the fascist Awami quarter,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cohorts are continuing various conspiracies to divert the anti-fascist movement in a different direction. “This case is just a disgusting example of that conspiracy.”
He warned the party rank and file that such plots by the government will continue in the future. “We would like to say that we’ll foil all the plots together with people by establishing a non-partisan caretaker government ousting fascist regime.”
Cyclone Mocha: BNP asks party followers to stand beside coastal people
BNP on Sunday asked its leaders and activists at all levels to stand beside people in the coastal areas as the severe cyclonic storm Mocha has started crossing the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar at noon.
“We’ve already instructed our leaders and activists at all levels to stand by the people at this time of extreme natural disaster and provide the coastal people with all possible assistance,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also hoped that the country’s people will tackle the natural calamity with courage as they did in the past.
“At the same time, we also call upon the government to stand by all people rising above politicization,” Fakhrul said.
said people in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattaogram have started experiencing the peripheral effects of the cyclonic storm which may complete crossing Bangladesh coast in the afternoon.According to the latest bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), cyclonic storm Mocha has started crossing the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar and the neighbouring country Myanmar’s north coast with a speed of up to 215 km per hour (kmph).
Tariful Newaz Kabir, a meteorologist of the BMD, told UNB that the cyclone has started crossing Cox’s Bazar and “it will completely cross Bangladesh between afternoon and evening today (May 14, 2023).”
Drizzling, accompanied by a gusty wind, has started in St Martin’s Island and nearby Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar soon after the cyclonic storm Mocha started crossing Bangladesh’s coast this morning.
BMD said the maximum sustained wind speed near the storm's center was about 190 kph, rising to 215 kph, in gusts or squalls.
Fakhrul warns govt of 'political storm' if caretaker demand remains unmet
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday warned that the current regime will have to face a strong political storm if it does not concede to their demand for holding the next election under a non-party caretaker government.
Speaking at a massive public rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he also threatened that their party will put up a strong resistance if the government tries to hold the next election under it ignoring the mass demand for a polls-time neutral administration.
“A violent storm originating from the turbulent sea is approaching Bangladesh. There is no reason to think that only the natural storm is coming. A political storm-- to be originated from people’s hearts-- will also hit the country and spread everywhere and all people,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the government to try to understand the eye language of people before time runs out fast and hand over power to a caretaker administration accordingly. “If you want a safe exit then quit power, paving the way for arranging a fair and free election under a caretaker government.”
The BNP leader also said most of the opposition parties are now in agreement not to join the election under the current government.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office to protest against the arrest and harassment of party leaders and activists.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies participated in the rally that was also meant for mounting pressure on the government to accept the party’s 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government and free party chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition.
Fakhrul said it is now an established fact at home and abroad and everywhere that no credible election can be held under the Sheikh Hasina-led government. “As we don’t want any election under Hasina, we must resist the polls under her.”
He, however, said their party is in no way against the election. “We want the election and a government elected through the real votes of people. Our party came to power reputedly through the credible polls.”
He said their party has long been on a movement for arranging the next polls under a caretaker government.
The BNP leader recalled that it was the Awami League which had enforced hartal for 173 days and killed many people with the demand for introducing the caretaker government system. “You (AL) are now killing people to hold the election under a partisan government by annulling the caretaker government system."
He said 17 BNP leaders and activists were killed in the recent movement while over 600 others were made to disappear as they took to the streets demanding democracy. “Is there any democratic country where unlawful cases were filed against 390 lakh people belonging to the opposition? This is happening only in Bangladesh.”
Fakhrul criticised the government for filing of a case against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman for the murder of Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda Bir Bikram 48 years back.
He alleged that the main motive behind the filing of the case is to mislead people and divert their ongoing movement.
The BNP leader said the government had resorted to such tricks before the 2014 and 2018 elections to misguide people. “As the election is approaching again, they’ve filed the case against Ziaur Rahman to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the ongoing movement for holding the election under a caretaker government.”
Fakhrul noted that the case was not filed against the then Army chief or the Gano Bahini chief, as they are with the ruling party. “Ziaur Rahman was held captive at that time, but the case was filed against him.”
He warned that no evil game will work this time as people will finally turn victorious over the current regime. “We’re getting ready for it.”
Earlier on Thursday, Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda Bir Bikram’s daughter Naheed Izaher Khan filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in Dhaka over the killing of her father on November 7, 1975.
In the case, Naheed made Maj (retd) Abdul Jalil of the 10th East Bengal Regiment accused and claimed that the killing was carried out as per Ziaur Rahman's instruction.
Unite to stop anti-state propaganda: Information Minister to expatriates in Stockholm
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, currently touring Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday said some people are indulging in anti-state propaganda in exchange for money by misusing the facilities of living in Europe. "The patriotic Bangladeshis living in Europe should unite and resist these nefarious conspiracies,” he declared.
The minister said this while exchanging views with leaders of local Awami League and allied organisations when they came to receive him at the Stockholm airport in Sweden on Saturday. Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden Mehedi Hasan was present at the time, said a press release.
Hasan went to Sweden to attend the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.
Appreciating the role of the European Union Awami League in 2007-2008, he said, "The leaders of the European Union Awami League have stood by our beloved leader Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina in all fields in times of need. They are also contributing to the economic progress of the country by sending foreign currency earned by them.”
Sweden Awami League President Jahangir Kabir, General Secretary Dr Farhad Ali Khan, Vice President Sirajul Haque Khan Rana, were present at the time, among others.
BNP announces four more countrywide rallies in May
The BNP on Saturday announced countrywide rallies on May 19, 20, 26 and 27 to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government and to protest against the arrest and harassment of party leaders and activists in ‘false cases'.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement of the fresh programmes of their ongoing movement from the party’s rally at Nayapaltan in the capital.
He said their rallies are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the filing of ‘ghost’ cases against opposition leaders and activists, soaring prices of essentials, frequent power cuts and the all-pervasive corruption by the Awami League government.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies participated in the rally organised by the party’s Dhaka south and north units in front of its Nayapaltan central office.
As part of the fresh action programmes, Fakhrul said their party will arrange rallies in Dhaka north city, 28 organisational districts and other metropolitan cities on May 19 while in Dhaka south city, 21 organisational districts and other metropolitan cities on May 20.
Read: Zia had no involvement in Col Nazmul Huda's killing: Oli Ahmed
Besides, he said BNP will organise rallies in Dhaka north city, 19 organisational districts and metropolitan cities on May 26 while in Dhaka south city and 15 organisational districts on May 27.
The BNP leader said their party will observe the programme mainly to mount pressure on the government to step down and hand over power to a non-party caretaker government for holding a credible national election.
"This movement is not to bring the BNP to power. This movement is to restore democracy and establish a government of people by ousting the current regime in a peaceful manner together with the people,” Fakhrul said.
Zia had no involvement in Col Nazmul Huda's killing: Oli Ahmed
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed on Friday protested the filing of a case against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman for the murder of Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda Bir Bikram 48 years back.
“Ziaur Rahman had no scope to know who killed Nazmul Huda as was held captive at that time. Ziaur Rahman was not involved in this murder in any way,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at his party’s Tejgaon office, Oli alleged that the case was filed as part of a ploy to confuse people.
"The case was filed as part of a well-thought-out plan to divert people's attention to a different direction ahead of the election. We would like to ask them not to resort to lies," the former BNP minister said.
Earlier on Thursday, Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda Bir Bikram’s daughter Naheed Izaher Khan filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in Dhaka over the killing of her father on November 7, 1975.
In the case, Naheed made Maj (retd) Abdul Jalil of the 10th East Bengal Regiment accused and claimed that the killing was carried out as per Ziaur Rahman's instruction.
Oli, also a freedom fighter and a Bir Bikram, questioned the motive behind filing of the case 48 years after the incident.
"I would like to tell her (Naheed) mother you didn’t do a good job by filing the case after such a long time ahead of the election. Martyr President Ziaur Rahman was in no way involved in it,” he said.
He said Col Khondkar Nazmul Huda’s wife could have filed the case many times earlier during Ershads rule or Awami League’s rule in 1996.
“This case was filed now to mislead the nation by creating a smoke screen ahead of the election. But The nation won’t be confused as they have set a goal to get rid of the current intolerable situation, stop corruption and all tyranny, and ensure basic human rights,” the LDP chief observed.
Oli said their party wants the assurance of a free and fair election. "We are not against the Prime Minister or against Awami League and any party. We only want to freely cast our votes in the election and no gunmen will be there in the polling station and no one will take away our votes at night.”
Earlier in the day, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged Col Huda's daughter filed a case against their party founder Ziaur Rahman on the charge of killing three army officers in 1975 at the behest of the government to confuse people.
“The case has been filed as per the instruction of the Prime Minister. As Sheikh Hasina and her government are now in deep trouble, they want to confuse people,” he said.
Rizvi said Colonel Huda's daughter did not read the book written by her mother Nilufar Huda titled “The War of Colonel Huda and Me” before filing the case.
In her book, the BNP leader said Nilufar Huda mentioned that Ziaur Rahmann ordered Colonel Nawazish to ensure the safety of Khaleda Musharraf and Colonel Huda. “She (Naheed) filed the case on Sheikh Hasina's order.”