Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the international community stands firmly behind Bangladesh’s democratic transition through elections.
“The entire world is supportive of this transition. In particular, the democratic nations have expressed their full backing,” Fakhrul told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after arriving from the United States late Friday on an Emirates Airlines flight.
He added, “Our sole demand is the restoration of democracy. Under the directives of our Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, we are preparing for the February election.”
The veteran BNP leader had flown to New York on September 23 as part of the delegation led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. While the Chief Adviser returned home on October 2, Fakhrul stayed back an extra day to attend a party event in the United States before flying back.
The Chief Adviser’s delegation also included Humayun Kabir, adviser to the BNP Acting Chairman; Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher; NCP member secretary Akhter Hossain; and joint convener Tasnim Zara.
Speaking about the visit, Fakhrul said, “At the Chief Adviser’s invitation, we joined him at the 80th UNGA session and carried out our responsibilities as required. In my view, the trip was a success.”
“For the first time, the government invited all major political parties to present a sense of national unity, and in that regard, this visit has been truly meaningful. Bangladesh’s message has reached the global stage,” he noted.
He further said, “The side meetings held in New York alongside the UNGA were extremely productive, both for Bangladesh and for the cause of democracy.”
When asked about the incident of harassment at New York airport, Fakhrul dismissed it, saying, “We don’t take such things seriously. This is simply the Awami League’s way-creating incidents of this sort.”
