Staff Reporter:
Former BNP lawmaker and freedom fighter Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman has joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, marking a notable shift in the country’s evolving political landscape ahead of the national election.
According to a statement issued by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Publicity Department, Akhtaruzzaman formally joined the party on Saturday morning by filling out Jamaat’s associate member form during a meeting with party Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office in Dhaka. The ceremony took place around 9:00am on December 13.
Jamaat Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim were present at the event.
The statement said that in the presence of the Jamaat chief, Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman expressed confidence in and satisfaction with the party’s principles and ideals, as well as its positions on patriotism and the protection of the country’s independence and sovereignty. He pledged to devote the remainder of his life to safeguarding Islam and Islamic values, alongside the national interest, independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh.
He also committed to remaining loyal to Jamaat-e-Islami’s rules, ideology, organisational discipline and party principles.
Welcoming him into the party, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman extended his congratulations and wished him a long and prosperous life.
In its statement, Jamaat-e-Islami described Akhtaruzzaman as a heroic freedom fighter of the Liberation War, a veteran politician and an influential participant in various democratic movements.
A retired major of the Bangladesh Army, Akhtaruzzaman was elected twice as a Member of Parliament from the Kishoreganj-2 constituency of Katiyadi-Pakundia on a BNP ticket. He has also remained active in campaigns advocating dignity and fair recognition for freedom fighters.
The development comes amid heightened political realignments as parties position themselves ahead of the upcoming national election.
