‘US visa policy changes govt’s aggressive attitudes’

Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the government has changed its aggressive attitude due to the US visa policy.

“They have changed their longtime stances on opposition parties due to the US new visa policy.

They now want dialogue instead of conflict. But, they were assaulting our leaders and activists just a few days ago,” Mirza Fakhrul said while addressing a discussion commemorating the 42nd death anniversary of the late President Ziaur Rahman at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital.

The BNP Secretary General demanded the reinstatement of the caretaker government system and the dissolution of the current Parliament.

He said holding a fair election was not possible if Sheikh Hasina remained in power, citing the 2014 and 2018 elections as evidence.
Encouraging party members to engage in peaceful protests, Mirza Fakhrul said, the victory of the peoples’ agitation is a must.

“They [Awami League] will orchestrate arson attacks and accuse our people of being responsible, but everyone know that it is false,” he said.

Highlighting how Ziaur Rahman was more relevant in today’s context, Mirza Fakhrul said the BNP founder in 1975 had steered the country away from its ‘corrupt socialist economy’ and towards development.

“President Ziaur Rahman transformed the country from a state of destitution to one of prosperity within just one year,” he said.
The BNP leader emphasised the desire for a peaceful transition of the government.

Mirza Fakrhurl Islam Alamgir presided over the event while the party’s Standing Committee Member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was the chief guest.
Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, “Awami League banned all political parties forming BAKSAL, but Ziaur Rahman opened free democracy letting all democratic parties to work.” BNP Standing Committee Members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Selima Rahman, among others gave speeches in the programme.