A Dhaka court on Tuesday acquitted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser, Zainul Abedin Farroque, in a case related to non-submission of a wealth statement. Judge SM Ziaur Rahman of the Dhaka Divisional Special Judge's Court announced the verdict, citing a lack of evidence to prove the charges against Farroque. The BNP leader was present in court during the verdict. Farroque said, “The freedom earned through the sacrifices of students and citizens has been upheld through this verdict. I dedicate this acquittal to those who restored democratic rights through student movements. I hope our judiciary remains independent.” Constitutional Reform: BNP submits 62 proposals, seeks retention of VP, DPM According to the case details, Farroque, while serving as a lawmaker for Noakhali-1 constituency, was issued a notice by the then Anti-Corruption Bureau, or ACB, the precursor to the ACC, to submit a wealth statement for himself and his family. The notice, served between July 9 and August 22, 1999, provided 45 days for compliance. However, he failed to submit the statement. On January 19, 2000, Aminul Islam, an inspector of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, filed the case against Farroque. The charge sheet was submitted on June 17, 2001, by Imdadul Haque, another inspector of the bureau. Formal charges were framed against Farroque on March 23, 2006.

BNP Chairperson’s advisory council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Sunday urged the interim government not to go for unnecessary reforms that could delay the national election. Speaking at a sit-in protest in front of the Jatiya Press Club, he also called on the public to remain vigilant, claiming that deposed autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina is conspiring from India to block the path of putting in place a democratic government in Bangladesh. “Carry out reforms; we have no objection to that. But do not undertake reforms that could delay the elections. There is no need for reforms by this government that elected representatives can do,” the BNP leader said. He urged the government not to unnecessarily delay the election, as various conspirators are actively working to create chaos in the country. “If you delay the polls, the conspiracy will intensify, and the conspirators will take to the streets. India is conspiring once again, having given shelter to Sheikh Hasina. From there, they are plotting to prevent a truly democratic government from coming to power in Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. The programme was organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Nobin Dal central committee, demanding the withdrawal of all cases against Tarique Rahman and leaders and activists of other democratic parties. Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said their party has no complaints against Dr Muhammad Yunus, who assumed the role of head of the interim government to restore order in the country following the fall of the autocratic Awami League government through a student-led mass uprising. "However, the people of Bangladesh are increasingly saying that, after nearly four months, Tarique Rahman has still not been able to return home, and all the cases against him have not yet been withdrawn," he said. The BNP leader also said the ghosts of the Awami League still hold key positions in the administration, and they are conspiring against the government. “To put an end to this conspiracy, an election must be held promptly, allowing the people to elect their representatives,” he said. Act responsibly or risk losing public trust: Tarique to BNP followers  Farroque also called upon the government to withdraw all cases filed against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, leaders and activists of BNP and other democratic parties. “We must all remain vigilant, keeping our eyes and ears open, as Sheikh Hasina’s conspiracy has already begun from India. She must be brought back and put on trial,” he said.  

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Sunday said a recent demonstration outside Bangabhaban is a sign of a reactionary group's attempt to create a new political crisis in the country. While addressing a representative meeting of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU), he urged the BNP's alliance partners, including the 12-party coalition, to prepare to thwart any conspiracy against the country. “We think a reactionary group is trying to trigger unrest in the current political context of Bangladesh. The recent agitation outside Bangabhaban hints at a plot to create a new political crisis in the country,” he said. The BNP leader also mentioned that conspiracies are underway to destabilise the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. He said their party has unwavering trust in Dr Yunus' government. “To maintain this trust, you must immediately announce the election date after consulting all political parties. This will help us understand the direction the country is heading towards.” Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in Parliament, emphasised that the country should be governed by those who engage in politics for the welfare of the people. “We hope you (govt) will swiftly clear the mess created by Sheikh Hasina's misrule to ensure a credible national election.” Elected government now a demand of the time: BNP He said the government needs to focus on reforms related to the election, including the reconstitution of the Election Commission. “We do not want an Election Commission like the one led by (Kazi Habibul) Awal, which announces results after waking up from sleep. We want an election where voting takes place during the day, not at night." The BNP leader alleged that the Awami fascist regime severely repressed opposition leaders and workers to cling to power. “Many of our leaders and activists, including Choudhury Alam and Ilias Ali, have been subjected to enforced disappearance. They (Hasina regime) created a torture centre known as Ayna Ghar. They have killed many, leaving countless mothers in grief by producing police officers like Harun and Biplob," he observed. Farroque said Sheikh Hasina has plotted to make Bangladesh a part of India by remaining in power until 2040. “But she had to flee to India in the face of a student-led mass movement. He said the students, leaders of the anti-discrimination movement, the masses, and BNP and other party leaders and activists were on the streets to ensure the fall of Sheikh Hasina's autocratic rule, with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman acting as mastermind of the revolution. He questioned how India could provide shelter to Sheikh Hasina, who is responsible for the killing of several thousand people in Bangladesh. The BNP leader expressed frustration that, although two and a half months have passed since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime, all the political cases against Tarique Rahman have still not been withdrawn.

BNP Chairperson's advisory council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Friday demanded the government publish a white paper on those who fled the country following the student-led mass uprising. “The government must publish a white paper on those who have left the country, particularly explaining how individuals responsible for the deaths of many mothers' sons in Bangladesh managed to escape to India,” he said. Speaking at a rally, he noted that telephonic conversations involving the deposed ruler Sheikh Hasina have gone viral on social media, in which she mentioned her intention to re-enter the country from India suddenly. Democracy is more than elections: Tarique “I would like to say it wouldn’t be that easy for you to enter the country crossing the border as you fled Bangladesh to India. The border is currently tightly secured by the BGB under the government of Dr Muhammad Yunus, not by the Awami League,” the BNP leader asserted. Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, also alleged that India tried to subdue Bangladesh with the help of Sheikh Hasina. “But the people of Bangladesh have bigger  hearts, and they ousted the Awami League through years of agitations and struggle, as well as through the student-led mass revolution. Democracy must be restored and voting will no longer be held at night. This movement won’t be in vain,” he said. Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Party arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the withdrawal of all the false cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and other opposition leaders and activists. Farroque said the current interim government was put in place to make sure the country operates according to the constitution, not under the armed cadres of the Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League. Hasina's cohorts spreading rumours to create chaos: BNP He said BNP wants a free, fair and credible election where the country’s people will be able to freely exercise their right to franchise. The BNP leader said the people of the country now expect the Dr Yunus-led government to fulfill their desire by announcing a date for the next national election within a reasonable timeframe. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of 40 lakh cases filed against BNP and opposition party leaders during the previous government's tenure. “The people are now asking why these 40 lakh cases have not yet been withdrawn as per the President's orders.”

Dhaka, Sept 29 (UNB) – BNP senior leader Zainul Abedin Farroque on Sunday urged the government to arrest loan defaulters and bank looters alongside the drive against casinos and wrongdoers.