BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday greeted the Bangladesh Cricket Team for their historic 3-0 series victory over the West Indies with an impressive 80-run win in the third T20I. "Congratulations to the Bangladesh Cricket Team on their outstanding 3-0 clean sweep in the T20 series against the West Indies," he said in a post on his verified Facebook page. Tarique said this remarkable achievement is a testament to the Bangladesh team’s unwavering dedication, exceptional teamwork and extraordinary skills on the field. “Such victories not only showcase your talent but also inspire millions across the nation, reinforcing the pride and passion we hold for cricket,” he observed. As the Bangladesh cricket team continues to raise the bar, he hoped this success would propel them toward even greater accomplishments on the international stage. “The entire nation stands united in celebrating your triumph,” Tarique said expressing his pleasure. BNP leader Salahuddin off to London to meet Tarique Bangladesh clinched an 80-run victory over the West Indies on Friday in the third T20I, completing a historic 3-0 series sweep at the Arnos Vale Ground. With this win, Bangladesh ended the long tour of the West Indies. They started the series with a draw in the two-match Test series and then lost the ODIs 3-0. But the Tigers came back strongly in the T20Is.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed left for London on Friday. He took a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40 am, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said Salahuddin is travelling to London to meet BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss party matters. Protect country’s resources from ‘vulture eyes’: Tarique Sayrul also said Salahuddin’s daughter resides in London and he is expected to spend some time with her during his visit. Earlier, on November 30, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir travelled to London and returned on December 12. During his stay there, Fakhrul met Tarique Rahman, participated in various party events, and exchanged views with local journalists.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged party leaders and activists to brace for a relentless struggle to safeguard the nation's independence and sovereignty, warning that conspirators at home and abroad are eyeing the country’s resources with "vulture eyes". “The conspiracy has not stopped. You have passed the test by fighting for democracy…But the exam is not over yet. There are more tests ahead. It is a struggle in favour of the people and democracy. It’s a war for independence and sovereignty. If we are to win this war, we must continue to fight,” he said while virtually addressing BNP workshops. “The workshops, titled "31-Point State Structure Reform Proposal and Public Engagement," were organised by the BNP Training Affairs Committee in Munshiganj, Narsingdi and Manikganj districts. BNP welcomes HC verdict scrapping part of 15th Amendment Tarique said the conspiracy by mischievous elements, both within the country and abroad, against the BNP, its leaders, and the nation, does not stop. "Many are greedily eyeing the country’s financial and natural resources. If chaos can be stirred in the country, or if a weak government, lacking popular support and not representing the people, can be kept in power, then many will have the opportunity to loot the country's wealth," he warned. The BNP leader said the interests of the country and its people will remain secure if a public-supported, pro-people, and patriotic government is in power. “In such a case, those who eye the country’s money, wealth, and natural resources with vulture-like greed will think twice.” He once again urged his party leaders and workers to work on building the people’s confidence in the BNP and securing public support to win the next election. “We have no alternative but to stay with the people and engage with them constantly to overcome the hurdle of the election with their support,” Tarique said. Mentioning that BNP leaders and workers faced serious ordeals and challenges in their political journey, he urged them to use all their experience, knowledge, and prudence to win the people’s support. He said their party will gradually implement the 31-point proposal if it gets the chance to form the government with the support of people. CA’s election statement disappointing, says Fakhrul Tarique said the people of Bangladesh can play a crucial role in helping the BNP implement the 31-point outline, which was formulated in consultation with all the parties that waged the simultaneous movement against the Awami League regime. He said their party is open to accepting any better proposals from other parties or individuals for the welfare of the people and the country. The BNP leader believes that a positive change will come for the country and its people if the BNP can begin working on the implementation of the 31-point proposal. “We will only be able to implement the 31-point plan if we have the public's support. So, we must go to the people and gain their support at any cost. We must convince them by constantly engaging with them,” he observed.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called upon his party colleagues to correct themselves first to retain people’s confidence and fight against extortion, corruption and immoral activities. “Correct yourselves first and then tell others to amend them. Otherwise, there’s no point of talking big (about eliminating immoral activities and extortion,” he said while addressing a workshop in Faridpur through a virtual platform. BNP Training Affair Committee arranged the Faridpur Divisional workshop titled “31-point state structure reform proposal and the public engagement” at Faridpur Sadar Upazila Complex. Virtually joining the workshop, Tarique replied to various questions made by some participants. Two leaders drew Tarique’s attention to various immoral activities and extortion by some party leaders, and asked whether the BNP would take steps for forming a commission or a body to take action if the any of its leaders and workers indulge in inhumane, anti-social and extortion or other misdeeds using the influence of the party. Responding to the question, Tarique, said. “If any of you has done such an immoral act, correct yourself first. We may have some bad people in our party, who are doing bad and immoral things. We have already taken action against many of them. He said their party is taking all out organisational actions whenever it receives any such complaint against anyone. Even the BNP leader said they are taking extreme measures by urging the administration with written complaints against those who belong to the BNP are doing excess. “The key is to correct you first, and then encourage others to do the same.” ‘Fighting my own shadow,’ says energy adviser about bureaucratic challenges Tarique urged the party rank and file to refrain from doing anything that undermines the public confidence in BNP. He said their party wants stability to restore in Bangladesh promptly so that the existing problems can be addressed properly.  

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Sunday described the High Court verdict in the August 21 grenade attack cases as 'good news of justice' in the month of victory. “I want to share a piece of victory news on the first day of Victory Month… the court has acquitted Tarique Rahman and others in the August 21 grenade attack cases, as they were not involved in it,” he said during a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club. Bangladesh Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, organised a programme titled “Independence, Democracy and Voting Rights in the Current Context”. The BNP leader alleged that they had not received justice during the Awami League's rule. "We received our first piece of good news today (Sunday), on the first day of December... Insha Allah, we are hopeful of more good news in the future." BNP not an obstacle to AL ban, says Rizvi Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, mentioned that thousands of party leaders and workers are expecting 'justice' in the cases filed against them during the Awami League government’s tenure. Earlier in the day, the High Court (HC) overturned the verdict of a lower court in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack, acquitting all those convicted, including BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar. An HC bench comprising Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain delivered the judgement on Sunday. The court also declared the charge sheet in the case illegal. The grenade attack, a shocking incident, occurred on Dhaka's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.   Foreign Conspiracy Abbas claimed that the August 21 grenade attack was masterminded by a foreign power as the BNP had never been involved in the incident. "A foreign power sought to frame our leader Begum Khaleda Zia and our BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman by orchestrating the misdeeds," he said. Later, Abbas said Tarique and several other BNP leaders had been convicted in false cases based on a fabricated story. "The court today (Sunday) delivered a verdict confirming that Tarique Rahman was not involved in it... he has been acquitted." BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf acquitted in graft case Tarique’s Return Abbas also mentioned that Tarique Rahman would soon return to Bangladesh in good health. “That is why Allah has healed him, kept him healthy, and acquitted him." He prayed to Allah to grant Tarique a long life so that he could continue to serve the people of the country. The BNP leader also recounted the repression Tarique had faced after his arrest during the 1/11 political changeover.    

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left the country for London, UK on Saturday morning on a 10-day visit. He  along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum, departed  from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 8:25am, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.  He said the BNP leader is expected to return to home on December 11. Fakhrul ready to embark on London tour According to BNP sources, Fakhrul is travelling to London to meet party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss political and party matters. Once Mirza Fakhrul returns, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia may travel to London for medical treatment. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister is likely to first receive treatment in the UK, and may then travel to the United States for further care.  

Citing testimonies of Joj Mia, who was framed during the BNP-Jamaat led government to cover up their role in the gruesome August 21, 2004 grenade attack, Sajeeb Wazed, ICT affairs advisor to the PM, reminded all of the “state patronage provided to militants” and the “cabal of BNP leaders led by Tarique Rahman” behind the blast. Sajeeb Wazed posted a video on Twitter with the title: “How Tarique Rahman, BNP Hired & Unleashed Militants for 21st August Grenade Attack & Later Framed a Youth, named Joj Mia.” Known as a “Hawa Bhaban plot,” the carnage descended on an AL rally in 2004, when militants hurled grenades leaving at least 24 dead with then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaping death with ear injuries. Why Joj Mia should not be given adequate compensation: HC Hawa Bhaban was featured heavily in media reports as an “alternative powerhouse operated by Tarique” with access limited to his group of confidants including politicians, government officials, militants and businessmen, between 2001 and 2006. It was a well-orchestrated plan, executed through abuse of state power, a special court had ruled, delivering verdicts in the two cases filed over the grenade attack. According to the verdict, in the run up to the grenade attack, Tarique met militants, now serving sentences, and endorsed the plot that mainly targeted Sheikh Hasina “to make the Awami League leaderless.” But after the attack, a cover-up drama was concocted by then BNP-Jamaat led government that saw a youth presented before the press by law enforcement only to be unraveled by media investigations, the video posted by Sajeeb Wazed says.  Writ petition filed seeking Tk 10 crore as compensation for Joj Mia The video also contains confession of the dreaded militant leader Abdul Hannan who led the Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islam Bangladesh (Huji) that was found responsible for the attack, in which the convicted militant admitted to conspiring with BNP’s top brass in regards to the mission to “eliminate Sheikh Hasina.” The video provides flashbacks of the ordeals of Joj Mia and BNP-Jamaat’s “blatant patronage to militants to decimate Awami League and progressive groups.” August 21 attack: Legal notice served seeking Tk 10 crore as compensation for Joj Mia The video also contains interviews of senior journalists who unraveled the sham. BNP-Jamaat coalition’s last tenure had been described by Bertil Lintner as a “cocoon of terror" [Far Eastern Economic Review, Apr 4, 2002] and Eliza Griswold predicted an “Afghan style Islamist revolution” [The New York Times Magazine, Jan 23, 2005].

“The day before the BDR mutiny, Tarique Rahman called Khaleda Zia 45 times from London – between 1am to 6am – and asked her to leave her residence by 6am,” says a video posted yesterday by Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Posted on his verified Facebook profile, the video adds that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later presented the call records in the parliament. “The PM does not provide information on issues of national interest without evidence. BNP never responded to this,” it said. On the 14th anniversary of the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, the video raises several questions regarding the background of the BDR mutiny. Expressing condolences to families who lost their near ones in the tragedy, Sajeeb Wazed wrote that centering the anniversary, “one political party” has unleashed a stream of disinformation campaign on social media. This video posted on his profile “contains some facts” surrounding that killing spree, he added. The video refers to Pakistan president’s then special envoy Zia Ispahani’s visit to Bangladesh before the BDR mutiny. Zia Ispahani requested the Government of Bangladesh not to initiate trial of the 1971 war criminals. On February 17, 2009, he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and formally proposed to stop the trial of war criminals on behalf of Pakistan, which the PM turned down. Also read: Fakhrul questions investigation into 2009 BDR mutiny Zia Ispahani also met Khaleda Zia during his visit. The video questions the purpose of the meeting, and adds, “On whose call did Zia Ispahani come to Bangladesh?” “Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed attempted to fly out of the country just four days before the BDR mutiny,” the video says. However, he was turned back by the law enforcers at the airport. “What was his motive for leaving the country?” – it asks. The video also says that many of the convicts, who confessed to involvement in the BDR mutiny, had been recruited during the BNP government’s tenure. “Twenty-two absconding BDR personnel were arrested from Tangail, 14 of them managed their job recommendation from BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu, who was convicted in the August 21 grenade attack case,” it says. “The BNP-Jamaat alliance made a desperate bid to cling to power in 2006. The dark side of the BNP-Jamaat government was divulged by a handful of high-ups in the armed forces, including Moeen U Ahmed and Sadik Hasan Rumi,” the video says. “Most of the deceased, including BDR Chief Major General Shakil Ahmed and Colonel Gulzar Uddin Ahmad, played a remarkable role in conducting the 2008 election in a free and fair manner,” it says. The Pilkhana massacre took place just after the formation of the Awami League government and a total of 78, including 57 seasoned armed forces officials and their family members, were gunned down. “This irreparable loss was incurred by not just the armed forces but the entire nation as well. The newly-formed Awami League government faced the biggest blow,” the video said.  

A Dhaka court on Thursday asked the police to confiscate all assets of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Asaduzzaman gave the order. The court also asked the Cantonment Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) to submit a progress report on the implementation of the order by January 19, the date for the next hearing of the case. On November 1, 2022, the same court issued arrest warrants against Tarique and Zubaida after accepting charges against them. It also asked the Cantonment Police Station OC to submit the progress report on the implementation of the arrest warrants by January 5. According to the case statement, the ACC filed the case at Kafrul Police Station on September 26, 2007, against Tarique, his wife, and mother-in-law Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu for amassing wealth of around Tk4.82 crore beyond their known sources of income and for concealing information on wealth. A charge sheet was submitted to the court against them in 2008.  Read more: Journalists criticise using photos of Khaleda, Tarique on ‘media card’ for covering BNP’s Rajshahi rally