BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday alleged that many dubious foreigners are arriving in Bangladesh, accusing the interim government of serving the interests of others rather than the country's people.

“We are observing that many suspicious foreigners are arriving at different times with various missions,” he said while addressing a discussion.

Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee Member, believes the government is orchestrating various incidents to divert the public attention away from its various misdeeds.

“I cannot consider this government as neutral at this point. They are serving someone else’s purposes. I would like to make it clear that, under no circumstances, this is a pro-people or patriotic government,” the BNP leader said.

The programme was organised by the Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu Smriti Sangsad at the Jatiya Press Club to mark the 10th death anniversary of former BNP Organising Secretary Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu.

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Abbas said there are some advisers within the interim government who are not citizens of Bangladesh but are now ruling the country.

“Sometimes I wonder, are we under colonial rule? I think we are not under the rule of the people of this country, but under colonial rule,” he said.

Mentioning that he is a freedom fighter and patriotic person, Abbas raised several questions to the government, seeking answers.

“Why can’t I go to Saint Martin’s if I wish? Why can’t I visit Sajek if I want? Why can’t I go to Baghaichhari if I desire? I want to know from the government whether we live in a dependent country or if we need a passport and visa to visit these places,” the BNP leader questioned.

He said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman did not fight in the Liberation War to make the country independent to sell it to others.

Abbas also criticised the leaders of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) for remaining silent on these issues.

The BNP leader also slammed the interim government for its decision to provide a human corridor to Myanmar's Rakhine state.

“There is no room for any corridor or passage within Bangladesh without the people's consent. A government elected by the people will decide what to do in this regard,” he observed.

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Abbas said no country in the world has achieved peace by providing such corridors. “Gaza is not at peace, Libya is not at peace, Egypt is not at peace, and Afghanistan is not at peace… we don’t want to turn Bangladesh into Gaza or Palestine.”