BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday conveyed a message to people from party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, urging them to remain patient to have the democracy restored through a national election. “Our acting chairman has urged you (people) to remain patient. We must all act with unity and patience to restore democracy, ensuring that the great victory achieved through the student-led mass movement becomes truly fruitful and meaningful,” he told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning from London. SC stays 7 year jail sentence of Tarique in money laundering case Fakhrul said Tarique also urged all to focus on preparing for the next election, describing it as the first crucial step towards the restoration of democracy. The BNP leader made the remarks in response to questions from reporters about the message he had brought from Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul returned home from London, after completing a 12-day visit. The BNP leader, accompanied by his wife Rahat Ara Begum, arrived at the airport in Dhaka on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 12:45pm. He said he had a meeting with the BNP Acting Chairman during his stay in London. Besides, Fakhrul said, he spoke to expatriate Bangladeshis and BNP leaders and workers and joined meetings arranged by them. "There has been a discussion with the press there. My visit to London was productive and fruitful,” the BNP leader said. Read: BNP to be accountable government, if elected: Tarique Rahman When asked about Tarique Rahman's possible return to the country, Fakhrul said, "As you know, he has been facing numerous false cases filed out of political vendetta. He’ll return home once these cases are withdrawn or resolved through the court." In response to another question, he said the political parties have been supporting the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus. “We hope they’ll arrange the polls after completing the necessary minimum reforms." The BNP leader said it is a wrong perception that their party prioritises the election over reforms, reminding that it was the BNP which had put forward its reform proposals two years ago. Earn public trust, Tarique tells BNP leaders, activists As his attention was drawn to a comment by an adviser that political parties are trying to fail the interim government, Fakhrul said, “I don’t know in what context he made that statement. But, such remarks are anti-political. We do not expect such statements to be made by them.” He said political parties are supporting the interim government with the aim of restoring democracy, for which they have been fighting for the past 15 years. Responding to another question about Bangladesh-India relations, Fakhrul said the issues between the two countries must be resolved through discussions. He, however, said the problems emerging within Bangladesh are challenging to address without an elected government. Fakhrul travelled to London on November 30 to meet Tarique Rahman and discuss with him the crucial political and the party’s organisational issues. Besides, his wife Rahat Ara Begum underwent health check-ups and received treatment in London. Sources within the party said Fakhrul and Tarique Rahman, along with local leaders, discussed the potential visit of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London for medical treatment. Tarique seeks accountability of all, from PM to UP members The 79-year-old former Prime Minister is expected to first receive treatment in the UK, and may then travel to the United States for further care. The BNP has made all necessary arrangements for her to receive specialised treatment at an advanced medical center abroad.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir returned home from London on Thursday, after completing a 10-day visit. Fakhrul, accompanied by his wife Rahat Ara Begum, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 12:45pm, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. During his stay in London, Fakhrul met party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss political affairs. Read: Mirza Fakhrul returns home He also participated in several party programmess and exchanged views with local journalists. Sources within the party said Fakhrul and Tarique Rahman, along with local leaders, discussed the potential visit of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London for medical treatment. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister is expected to first receive treatment in the UK, and may then travel to the United States for further care. The BNP has made all necessary arrangements for her to receive specialised treatment at an advanced medical center abroad.

Denouncing the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday expected that Indians would respect the democratic aspirations of the citizens of the new Bangladesh. “We hope that Indians would respect the democratic aspirations of the citizens of the new Bangladesh and help the trial of the Awami League fascist leaders who stay in India by sending them back (to Bangladesh),” he said in a statement. BNP demands withdrawal of Mamata's UN peacekeeper statement Fakhrul said they strongly condemn the attack by extremists on the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission at North Agartala in India.  “It is believed that the attack on the premises of the Assistant High Commission by the members of the organisation named "Hindu Sangha Samiti" was pre-planned,” he said. Tarique's acquittal proves cases were politically motivated: Fakhrul Taking down the Bangladesh flag, setting it on fire and carrying out vandalism after entering the Assistant High Commission is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention, said the BNP Secretary General. “We would request the Government of India and the people of India that the use of hatred in Bangladesh as a tactic of your domestic politics will create lasting tension in the relationship between the two countries,” Fakhrul added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday expressed deep concern over efforts by ‘disturbing elements’ to stifle press freedom and urged everyone to refrain from such "suicidal activities". “Very unfortunately now a terrible act has started which is an attack on the press freedom and freedom of expression for which we’re always fighting,” he said while launching a book on BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at a city hotel. The BNP leader claimed that their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia fully ensured the freedom of the press upon coming to power in 1991. "But we are now witnessing that some stubborn and provocative elements are attempting to obstruct and destroy press freedom in various ways. No conscious and patriotic individual can accept this," he said. Fakhrul went on to say, "I urge everyone to refrain from such suicidal acts and work towards giving democracy an institutional shape." He also urged the students involved in such activities to step back and exercise patience. The BNP leader said it is not feasible for the current interim government to resolve all issues at once. "We need to be patient so that the election can be held after minimal reforms.” He also said their party is not opposed to state reforms, as it also wants the election to take place following the necessary overhaul of the state institutions. The BNP leader said they often advocate for elections as the current problems and challenges cannot be addressed without elected public representatives. "Only an elected government, with public support and a clear mandate, can resolve these issues.” The book, titled ‘Tarique Rahman: Politics and Policies in Contemporary Bangladesh’, was written by journalist Zainal Abedin. In the 571-page book, various aspects of the life, work, and politics of BNP leader Tarique Rahman have been depicted in detail. Fakhrul said many people are increasingly concerned about the current situation in the country and the incidents unfolding. "Our enemies, who have retreated from the front, are now making efforts from behind to destabilise the country again. We must remain very vigilant. Unfortunately, the people of our country have lost their patience. They must exercise restraint and offer full cooperation to the interim government," he said. The BNP leader warned that if the interim government fails, the country could be plunged into darkness once again. "If this government fails, the country will fail, and the mass uprising will fail," he observed. Fakhrul also mentioned that Tarique Rahman maintained constant contact with the party's leaders at all levels, from union to central committee, providing necessary directives. "Tarique not only led the BNP but also helped organise the students for the mass uprising and played a crucial role in ousting Sheikh Hasina," he said. "Through his efforts, Tarique Rahman quickly organised all the parties, leading to a student revolution. We, who work with him, can always appreciate his extraordinary organizational skills and his remarkable democratic mindset,” the BNP leader said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the people of the country will determine who will participate in elections and do politics. “As a political party we can’t determine it. There has been a misunderstanding. An adviser said BNP facilitated the Awami League to do politics but it is not correct and we’ve cleared our stance,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a programme organised to distribute education materials and corrugated iron sheets among flood-hit people at Sreepur in Feni’s Fulgazi upazila. He said here there should be no scope of any misunderstanding as they never obstructed any party from joining elections. “But those, including Sheikh Hasina, killed people, laundered money abroad and destroyed the country’s assets must be brought to justice.” Lay out election roadmap to restore trust: BNP to govt  Regarding the interim government, the BNP secretary general said they (interim govt) will do a lot of work and they have already brought back peace and order. “Can Awami League men unleash torture now?  They should be given some time.” When they (govt) will finish the work, the elections will surely be held and a people's government will come, he said, adding, “We said it's better to do it a little sooner.” Urging the party activists to remain united, he said the AL ‘bandits’ fled the country and it will take to remove all wastes from the country created during the AL regime. Fakhrul said efforts are underway to send Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment. BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, joint secretary general secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, Chairperson’s adviser Prof Joynal Abedin, former lawmaker Rehana Akter Ranu and Chattogram Divisional organising secretary Mahbube Rahman Shamim were, among others, preset on the occasion.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged all to keep fighting against fascists and stop the return of the deposed Awami fascism.  Talking to reporters at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, he also said  the court's order declaring BNP leader Dr Shahadat Hossain as the elected mayor of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has proved that all elections held under the Awami League regime were rigged and usurped. “We drove the fascists out of the country through a student-led mass uprising. Now, the nation expects that fascism won’t return and that it will be eliminated forever through the united resistance of people,” Fakhrul said. He also expressed the hope that future elections will be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. BNP leader Shahadat Hossain takes oath as Chattogram city mayor On behalf of BNP and its two top leaders, Fakhrul congratulated Dr Shahadat on his swearing-in as the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation. He claimed that Dr  Shahadat was elected mayor by people’s votes in the CCC polls, but the Awami League had unlawfully taken that victory away. Fakhrul expressed gratitude to the court for overturning the rigged election results and declaring Dr Shahadat the rightful winner. He also thanked the interim government for accepting the court's verdict and for swearing in Dr Shahadat today (Sunday. Earlier in the Day, Shahadat Hossain took oath as the mayor of CCC. Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, AF Hassan Ariff, administered the swearing-in ceremony in the conference room of the Local Government Division at the Secretariat on Sunday morning. Need to hold polls quickly; only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul After taking the oath, Dr Shahadat, accompanied by party leaders and workers, including Fakhrul, visited Zia’s grave to pay homage by placing a wreath there. Earlier, on October 1, Joint District and Sessions Judge and Election Tribunal of Chittagong, Mohammad Khairul Amin, declared Dr Shahadat Hossain the mayor in response to a lawsuit regarding the CCC election. In the January 27, 2021, CCC election, Awami League candidate Rezaul Karim Chowdhury was initially declared winner with 369,248 votes, while Dr Shahadat Hossain, the BNP candidate, received 52,489 votes.  However, on October 8, the Election Commission announced Dr Shahadat as the winner and published the gazette that same night.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir returned home from Canberra, Australia, on Friday night after a 15-day personal visit. The BNP leader, along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum, reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Singapore Airlines flight at aboit 10:25pm, his personal assistant M Yunus Ali told UNB. The BNP leader went to Australia on October 10 to visit his elder daughter. His wife went to Australia earlier, but the couple returned home together. Fakhrul off to Australia to see his daughter Fakhrul's eldest daughter, Dr Shamaruh Mirza, is a medical scientist who has been living in Canberra, Australia, since 2006. While she is a doctor, Shamaruh is primarily recognised as a women's organiser.  In 2017, she co-founded SiTara’s Story to provide women from diverse backgrounds a safe space to discuss their challenges and gain confidence. The organisation allows women to talk about stigmatised topics without fear, form support networks, and empower themselves.  In 2021, SiTara’s Story received the ACT Mental Health Month award, and Shamaruh was a finalist for the Canberra Community Spirits Award. In 2022, she was honoured with Australia’s prestigious award ‘Australian of the Year.’

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir turned 77 on Friday with birthday greetings by the family members at Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj. Fakhrul’s wife Rahat Ara Begum along with his younger daughter  Mirza Safaruh and sister Najma Kalam met him at the central jail at noon and greeted him with happy birthday there, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the family members took Mirza Fakhrul's favourite food and a cake to the jail on his birthday. They spent around 45 minutes with the BNP leader in the jail. Neither parliament nor current govt was formed with people’s mandate: Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan Contacted, Rahat Ara said they became upset after meeting Fakhrul as his health condition is not good. “He lost five kg of weight as he is sick. So I feel sad to see him in such poor health condition,” she said. Fakhrul’s wife urged the country’s people to pray for her ailing husband. Fakhul has been staying in jail since he was arrested on October 29, a day after violent clashes between the police and BNP leaders and activists centring the party’s grand rally in the capital’s Nayapaltan area. BNP, like-minded parties set to hold black-flag processions Friday, Saturday Fakhrul was born on January 26, 1948 in Thakurgaon. His father late Mirza Ruhul Amin was a Muslim League leader and a minister of the Pakistan government. Fakhrul, who had involvement with left politics during his student life, completed his graduation and post-graduation from Dhaka University's Economics department. Later, he took up teaching as his profession through the BCS examination. Fakhrul quit teaching during the 80s and joined politics formally. He was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 with BNP's ticket in 2001 and then made a state minister. He was also elected MP from Bogura-6 seat in the 11th parliamentary election. But he did not take oath yet as the BNP rejected the election results. New education policy, school curriculum are anti-national: Rizvi  Fakhrul was made acting secretary general of BNP after the death of the party's then-secretary general. Khandaker Delwar Hossain, in 2011. He was given the full charge of the party's secretary general position five years later in 2016.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a High Court order that directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to accept and dispose of the bail petitions of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in connection with 10 cases. Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC, passed the order following a petition filed by the state challenging the HC order. The Chamber Judge also sent the petition to its full bench and fixed January 15 to hear in this regard. Narayanganj-4: This may be my last election, says Shamim Osman Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin , A M Mahbub Uddin Khokan, and Advocate Sagir Hossain Leon appeared in the court on behalf of Mirza Fakhrul, while Attorney General A M Amin Uddin, Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain and Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state. Eleven cases were filed at Paltan and Ramna police stations on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28. Of them, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why Fakhrul should not be granted bail in a case filed over the attack on the Chief Justice's residence. Ganatantra Mancha urges voters to boycott lopsided polls He sought bail in the remaining 10 cases. But on December 12, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court of Dhaka rejected the bail petitions. Later, a writ petition was filed with the HC on December 14. Following the petition, a High Court bench on December 18 directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Courts in Dhaka to accept and dispose of the bail petitions of BNP Secretary General in the nine cases as Mirza Fakhrul was shown arrested in one of the cases filed with Paltan police. Equal opportunities will be ensured for all candidates: EC Ahsan Habib The BNP secretary general was arrested in a case on October 29. Later, a bail petition was filed with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. The court sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition.

A Dhaka court today (November 22, 2023) rejected the bail plea of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a case filed over vandalising the chief justice's residence during his party’s grand rally on October 28. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court’s Acting Judge Foysal Atique Bin Quader passed the order after hearing the bail plea placed by Fakhrul's lawyers.   Though there was a schedule to hold the hearing of the bail plea on November 20, the court later deferred it till November 22 after the state counsel had filed a petition seeking time. Read: Authorities in foreign countries alerted about rumormongers against Bangladesh: Hasan Mahmud  On November 2, Advocate Joynul Abedin filed a petition seeking bail for the BNP leader. The court fixed November 20 for the hearing. On October 30, a Dhaka metropolitan magistrate sent Fakhrul to jail in the case after the investigating officer produced him before it with a plea to keep him in jail in connection with the case. The Detective Branch (DB) of police detained Fakhrul from his Gulshan residence on October 29. Read: Fakhrul’s bail hearing deferred till Nov 22 Nearly 10 hours after his detention, Mirza Fakhrul was shown arrested in the case. Fakhrul, among 59 leaders and activists of BNP, was accused in the case filed with Ramna Police Station.