Reacting to the Jamaat Ameer’s remarks, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Friday urged the opposition party in Parliament, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, to read the joint statement issued following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to Japan before making any comments.
“One would expect responsible behaviour and responsible communication from them. I would first say that you read the joint communiqué (joint statement),” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing Jamaat-e-Islami as the largest religious political party in Bangladesh.
The State Minister made the remarks when a reporter drew his attention to the comments made by Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday.
Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, who is set to become the next Foreign Secretary and Additional Foreign Secretary (Public Diplomacy and Other Priority Matters) AKM Shahidul Karim were also present at the media briefing.
“If you read it (joint statement), you will see for yourself that there is nothing of the sort [in it]. To claim - without having seen, understood or read it - that the country is being sold off, or that such a thing is about to happen… well, that simply says something else,” Kobir said.
“So, I would say, please read the joint statement—the joint communiqué—that has come out, and you will find your answer there,” the State Minister said.
Dr Shafiqur, in a post on his verified Facebook account, said there is no room for accepting any initiative or decision regarding the Matarbari deep-sea port that compromises national interests, security or territorial sovereignty.
He said the public would not accept such a move and that it must be made clear to the people what is transpiring in this regard.
“In the past, too, various concessions—such as transit and corridors—were granted under the pretext of serving Bangladesh’s interests; yet, in reality, the country has reaped no benefits from them,” said Dr Shafiqur.
He said that whether it involves Japan, China or any other friendly nation, Bangladesh’s sovereignty, security and national interests must always be given top priority.
“It is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to safeguard the nation’s interests and security. The public in no way wants to see any failure or tendency towards compromise on the part of the government in this matter,” said the Jamaat chief.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home from Tokyo early Friday, wrapping up his four-day official visit to Japan. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the Prime Minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and other members of his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 2:48am on Friday.