BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has questioned how former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family members “left the country without obstruction” despite the allegations of amassing assets illegally. Speaking at a discussion on Saturday, he also said this exposes the ruling party leaders’ claims of not sparing wrongdoers as “mere eyewash and deception.” “I saw a media report that Benazir and his family went to Singapore, leaving the country on May 4. Before leaving, he emptied all his bank accounts and withdrew around Tk 60 crore. I don’t know whether the amount is much bigger,” Fakhrul said. Govt bears responsibility for misdeeds of Aziz, Benazir: Fakhrul The BNP leader further said, “My question is, how did he leave the country? What is the significance of a court order to confiscate his assets and freeze his bank accounts and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s move to file a case against him? When he was told he wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere, how did he sneak off to Singapore right under the government's nose?” He said the ruling party leaders also made remarks that no one involved in corruption would be spared. “Do they (the government) think people are stupid? They understand all these are eyewash and deceptions. You’re ruling the country by resorting to trickery.” Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 43rd death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said the government not only nurtured Benazir and Aziz Ahmed (former army chief) but also promoted countless corrupt individuals. He said that Awami League has turned Bangladesh into a “safe haven for plundering.” Why Aziz, Benazir yet to be arrested, asks Manna “We must protect the country from it. We believe that through the struggle of the people of Bangladesh, we will defeat this monster that is wreaking havoc everywhere, establish a government of the people, and restore true democracy," the BNP leader said. Fakhrul said BNP, together with many other opposition parties, have long been carrying out a movement for the restoration of democracy.Stating that they must achieve victory and success in their struggle, the BNP leader said their party will never step back from its ultimate goal of establishing people’s voting rights and democracy. “Our goal remains unwavering. Strategies may change over time; we will decide that through discussions…we’re working hard to organise them all. We believe we have not failed. We have started working again. Inshallah, victory will be ours as we’re fighting on the path of truth and justice," Fakhrul observe. Law to take its own course, says Salman F Rahman about Aziz, Benazir

Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad on Saturday threatened to take to the streets if Professors Tajmeri SA Islam, adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, is not released in a week. Shawkat Mahmud, a senior journalist and acting convener of the Peshajibi Parishad, an association of working professionals aligning with the BNP, issued the threat at a human chain programme. "Professionals are now staying in jail. They can't express their opinions and exercise their human rights. They have been sent to jail on false charges. Tajmeri SA Islam was arrested for spreading fear,” he said. Shawkat Mahmud said professionals will not back off from raising their voice against injustice and misdeeds of the government. “We want to see in a week whether Tajmeri SA Islam has been released. If he is not released, then our movement will start on the streets and this movement will turn into an anti-autocratic one to ensure fall of the current regime.” Read: AL conspiring to rig votes again, alleges BNP Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the release of it’s one of its members Tajmeri Islam, a retired Professor of Dhaka University who was arrested and sent to jail on Thursday last in a case filed in 2018. Shawkat Mahmud, also a vice-chairman of BNP, said they will continue their movement without any compromise if their demand is not met. He also warned the professionals not to be confused as he feared that the government will try to thwart their movement by creating divisions and misunderstandings among them. The BNP leader called upon the professionals who want to ensure the fall of the Awami League government to take to the streets. “Or else you will be considered as collaborators (of govt).” He alleged that the current ‘despotic’ government has started attacking university teachers and intellectuals before its looming fall and the final victory of people. Read: Freedom fighters human chain demanding expulsion of Quader Mirza Shawkat said the government is trying to cling to power by hiring lobbyists in different countries. “But it won’t work this time due to the way the international organisations and global community have been raising their voice against the government. They (govt) won’t be able to suppress the country's people the way they are awakening.” Uttara police arrested Prof Tajmeri on Thursday, in a case filed over obstructing police from performing duties during an anti-government demonstration of the party in the capital's Uttara on September 23, 2018. Later, she was sent to Kashimpur Central Jail as a court rejected her bail petition. Prof Tajmeri, a former dean of science faculty, chairperson of Chemistry department and provost of Ruqayyah Hall of Dhaka University, was involved with White Panel, pro-BNP teachers' association of the University.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said their party is still struggling to recover from the 'losses' it suffered during its movements before and after the 2014 national election.