Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the government to allow their party chief Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian ground as she has been suffering from post-Covid complications.
“Post-Covid complications sometimes go into different directions. She’s an elderly person having many underlying health complications…that’s why most people in our country want her to receive treatment in an advanced hospital,” he said.
Also Read: No change in Khaleda's health condition: Doctor
Speaking at a programme at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, the BNP leader said,” "Her (Khaleda’s) family sought permission yesterday (Thursday) to send her abroad for advanced treatment. We hope the government will take steps for her treatment abroad on humanitarian ground.”
The programme was arranged to provide Eid gifts to the family members of BNP leaders and activists who died of coronavirus across the country, on behalf of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Party leaders said at least 425 BNP leaders and activists have so far died of coronavirus.
Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital since April 27 and doctors are providing her treatment sincerely there. But, he said, she should be given treatment in an advanced hospital abroad considering her underlying health conditions.
On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhamanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Also Read: Corona-infected Khaleda hospitalised
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with the shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday. Her breathing problem later eased.
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
Prayers for Khaleda
Meanwhile, Mirza Fakhrul announced that their party leaders and activists will arrange doa mahfil in mosques across the country after Juma’ prayers on Friday seeking divine blessings for her speedy recovery.
Besides, he said, prayer sessions will also be arranged at other worship places of different other religious communities for the BNP chief.
Health sector collapsed due to corruption: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the health sector has co collapsed amid coronavirus pandemic due to ‘widespread corruption and irregularities, putting the entire nation in danger.
"On one hand, they’re lying about corona tests and indulging in corruption and irregularities over treatment on the other, leaving the country in jeopardy,” he said.
He came up with the allegation while inaugurating an app developed by Ziaur Rahman Foundation to provide healthcare services to coronavirus-infected patients.
Also read: Intensify efforts to procure vaccines for alternative sources: BNP
The BNP leader said, “We saw a few days ago that two hospitals have disappeared. The health sector has collapsed due to widespread corruption in the health ministry during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Fakhrul said the government has announced stimulus packages to ensure people’s livelihoods and tackle the Covid fallouts. “But they’re resorting to corruption there as well. No arrangement has been made for easing the public sufferings.”
Also read: Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
He said the government is hardly concerned about ensuring people’s livelihoods and security of their lives since it has no accountability. “The government has completely become isolated from people. The entire nation has been suffering due to the irresponsibility of the current regime.”
The BNP leader alleged that the coronavirus has spread in the country due to the government’s extreme incompetence and ignorance since the beginning of the pandemic. "Unfortunately, no effective step has so far been taken by the government to ensure proper treatment of the Covid patients and develop the treatment system.”
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
He said it is not possible to deal with a serious crisis like the corona pandemic without a democratic government. “We need to establish a democratic governing system and a democratic government and parliament to ensure accountability and state responsibility towards people.
Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at a city hospital for her serious illness, Fakhrul urged all to pray for her speedy recovery.
No specific allocation for low-income people, bemoans BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said though the lowly-paid workers and day-labourers have been the worst victims of the pandemic, the government has not yet made any specific allocation for them.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he also alleged that pro-ruling party people are mainly taking benefits of the stimulus packages announced by the government for the pandemic victims.
“We’ve repeatedly said the government should help mainly those who live from hand to mouth and those who work in the informal and SME sectors during the corona period. Our poor brothers and sisters have been suffering most since the outbreak of the pandemic, but there’s no allocation for them in the packages announced by the government. There’s no specific allocation for them,” Fakhrul said.
He said their party proposed providing each affected worker with a one-time incentive of at least Tk 15,000 for three months, but the government did not pay heed to it. "Government officials and the cohorts of Awami League are taking away all the incentives that have been announced for owners.”
Also read: Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
Jatityatabadi Sramik Dal, the workers’ wing of BNP, arranged the virtual programme marking its 42nd founding anniversary and historic May Day.
Fakhrul criticised the government for extending the lockdown without taking any step to mitigate the sufferings of the poor, workers and the day-labourers.
“The government has enforced the lockdown without taking any step for easing the sufferings of the day-labourers and other lowly-paid workers and the poor. They did it to make their political gains by carrying out crackdowns in the name of the lockdown.”
The BNP leader said the government has been arresting the leaders and activists of different Islamic and student organisations taking advantage of the lockdown. “They (govt) are arresting those who speak against them. The entire nation has become hostage to them.”
He urged the young generation and the workers to get united and play a leading role in a movement for establishing a pro-people government and people’s basic rights.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
Khaleda’s condition
About the health condition of their party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul said she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the Evercare Hospital on Monday due to the shortness of breath.
“She’s is still in the CCU, and she’s being given oxygen. Her condition is now stable,” he said.
Fakhrul said doctors are hopeful that Khaleda will recover soon. He urged all to pray for her speedy recovery.
Khaleda, tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Intensify efforts to procure vaccines for alternative sources: BNP
Voicing concerns over the suspension of administering the first dose of Covid vaccine in Bangladesh, the BNP standing committee has urged the government to intensify its efforts for collecting the jabs from alternative sources.
“Our standing committee is worried over the vaccine crisis and the suspension of the vaccination programme. The government couldn’t collect the necessary vaccine doses due to its irresponsibility and incompetence,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday.
Speaking at a virtual press conference on the outcomes of BNP standing committee’s meeting held on Saturday, he said the government has also failed to take the right decision on the vaccine import as it has become “isolated from people”.
Also read: Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
“Corruption is the main reason behind such a vaccine crisis. They’ve taken a wrong decision on procuring the vaccine from a single source in India through a corrupt company owned by a leader of their party,” the BNP leader observed.
Fakhrul said their party and the country’s health experts had warned the government of the consequences of procuring the vaccine from a single source, but it did not change its stance.
“They (govt) didn’t look for an alternative source of the corona vaccine as it always thinks of benefits of its leaders, not people…the government is running the country with some mafias and the mafias are playing the important role in making decisions and running the country,” he alleged.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
The BNP leader said there is no alternative to installing a pro-people government through a credible election under a non-party administration to get rid of the current situation of the country.
He said the Serum Institute of India has violated the agreement on providing three crores of vaccine to Bangladesh by stopping the supply after only giving 70 lakh jabs, but the government did not raise voice against it.
Fakhrul said their standing committee urged the government to take necessary steps for increasing oxygen production in the country alongside immediately procuring the vaccine from alternative sources.
Govt doing business in Covid’s name: BNP
Taking a swipe at the government for the current crisis over the Covid vaccine, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday accused it of indulging in business in the name of coronavirus.
“The government is not accountable to anybody as it has no connection with people. So, it’s doing business with the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
The BNP leader said, "We had warned the government earlier that the vaccine shouldn’t be taken from a single source. But they’ve taken the vaccine from only one source for their own benefit. As a result, the country is now facing a vaccine crisis.”
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a programme at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Also read: Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
At the programme, he, on behalf of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, presented eid gifts to the family members of those leaders of BNP and its associate bodies who were subjected to enforced disappearance and killing during the current government.
He alleged that the government did not take effective steps to tackle coronavirus and ensure proper treatment for people over the last one and a half years. “They’ve only worked on how to make money, how to indulge in corruption. So, people are not getting treatment and they’re going from one hospital to another for ICU beds.”
The BNP leader said their party had called on the government over a year back to contact Russia and China as alternative sources for vaccines, but they did not pay heed to it. “They’re now going to sign deals with China and Russia after killing plenty of time. They’re now drinking muddy water ignoring the fresh one.”
He said the government should have taken united steps to tackle a national disaster like coronavirus by sitting with all the political parties and relevant stakeholders.
Also read: Coronavirus: BNP urges govt to shut borders with India
Pointing at the family members of the victims of enforced disappearance, Fakhrul said their party has no strength to recover the losses they have suffered with the disappearances of their loved ones. “That’s not possible either. Every year such events make us emotional, and when I appear before you like this, I feel guilty as we’ve so far not been able to change the situation.”
Fakhrul said BNP's over 500 leaders and activists were subjected to enforced disappearance over a decade.
Referring to different rights bodies’ statistics, he said 601 people were made disappeared during 2009 to 2019 while 2,817 were subjected to extrajudicial and other killings.
"So many people have had to give their lives and so many young people have had to leave… The government and Awami League must be accountable one day to the victims’ families and the entire nation for this," the BNP leader warned.
Engaging single organisation in buying vaccines a ‘suicidal’ move: BNP
Voicing concerns over the Covid vaccine crisis in the country, BNP on Monday said the government’s decision to procure it by a single organisation from a single source was ‘suicidal’.
“Our standing committee expressed deep concerns and anger over the uncertainty of Covid vaccine availability due to failure of and corruption by the government and importer Beximco Group,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Also read:Govt made Bangladesh a 'hell': Fakhrul
Speaking at a virtual press conference to convey the decisions of the party standing committee meeting held on Saturday, he said, “BNP warned earlier that the decision of giving the responsibility to a single organisation to collect vaccines from a single source could be suicidal.”
He also said the government has committed a criminal offence by giving a pro-ruling party business organisation the responsibility to procure the vaccine without thinking about the interests of people. “They (govt) will have to face trial in the future for this criminal act.”
Fakhrul also said their party thinks the government should quit for committing the crime over the vaccine procurement and its failure to ensure the jabs for people. “Amid such a big global pandemic and catastrophe, the government is just making wrong decisions, and the financial relation is behind all this. As a result, people are now not getting the vaccine.”
The BNP leader said the country needs to attain herd immunity by vaccinating 12. 5 core people. “But the government has put the entire nation in danger with its incompetence, failure, corruption and profit-making mentality.”
Also read:Fakhrul regrets BNP's failure to revitalise organisations
He said though the Serum Institute of India was paid Tk 1.5 crore vaccine in advance, the country has so far received 70 lakh jabs only.
Fakhrul said the government has stopped giving the first dose of vaccine as the Serum Institute expressed unwillingness to provide the rest of the vaccine jabs due to the Indian government's ban on vaccine export.
He said their standing committee thinks the government should reach an understanding with the Indian government for getting the vaccine as per the agreement and payment.
Fakhrul said the government also can take legal action at the international level if it fails to reach a negotiation with the Indian government and Serum Institute over receiving the vaccine.
He alleged that the poor, low-income people and day-labourers have been going through a tough time as the government has not given them any financial support during the ongoing lockdown.
The BNP leader demanded the government immediately announce an incentive package for them to ease their sufferings.
Fakhrul alleged that a vested quarter has been carrying out false propaganda by creating ‘fake’ Facebook accounts in the name of top BNP leaders and Zia family members. “We strongly condemn it.”
Govt behind crisis in Hefazat: BNP
In the wake of dissolution of the central committee of Hefazat-e-Islam, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government is taking advantage by creating a 'crisis' in the Qawmi-madrasa-based Islamist organisation.
"As a political party, we think the government has created a crisis in Hefazat and it’s now taking advantage of it,” he said.
Also read:Govt made Bangladesh a 'hell': Fakhrul
The BNP secretary general came up with the remark while speaking at a virtual press conference.
Stating that their party has no relation with Hefazat, Fakhrul said BNP believes in going to power in a peaceful manner through a credible election.
He alleged that the government is trying to involve BNP leaders in various incidents of Hefazat to make political gains.
The BNP leader also accused the government of launching a crackdown in the name of lockdown to suppress its opponents. “Many cases were filed against our leaders and workers, though BNP has no involvement in the incidents in any way.”
He said their party registered its protest against the violence at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram and the killing of people on Independence Day. “It’s our fundamental right. But ministers Obaidul Quader and Hasan Mahmud are spreading propaganda involving our party with Hefazat.”
Also read:Fakhrul regrets BNP's failure to revitalise organisations
Fakhrul said their party has no link with the violent incidents that happened in Dhaka, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, “The government’s efforts to implicate us and our top leaders in such incidents are not acceptable in any way.”
He said the government has long been trying to eliminate BNP by carrying out repressive acts and a ‘false’ campaign against the party as they know this party is the only opponent which can return to power by organising people through an election.
On Sunday night, Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced the dissolution of the 249-member central committee of the organisation
Later, a five-member convening committee of Hefazat was announced at midnight.
Coronavirus: BNP urges govt to shut borders with India
BNP on Saturday urged the government to close the country's land borders with India as the neighbouring country is witnessing a serious outbreak of coronavirus.
“The coronavirus infection has sharply increased in India...a terrible situation has been prevailing there due to the prevalence of new variants. Our citizens have to travel to India by road and air for various reasons, including business and treatment,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, he said, “West Bengal has the highest number of virus infections. So, we think, the land borders with India need to be closed completely.”
Fakhrul also opposed the government’s decision of keeping the inbound air passengers in quarantine for only three days instead of two weeks.
He said no country in the world cut the duration of institutional quarantine to three days for international travellers.
Also read: Bangladesh’s Covid death toll nears 11,000 as cases surge
The BNP leader alleged that the government’s whimsical decisions only contribute to the deteriorating Covid situation.
He said many people had returned to their village homes before the government enforced the lockdown. “As the government is going to allow shops and shopping malls to reopen from Sunday, these people are again returning to Dhaka and they’ll go back to their village homes before the upcoming eid. As a result, the virus will spread badly across the country.”
The BNP leader said they have long been advising the government to take a coordinated plan and roadmap to tackle the coronavirus situation. “But the government is not paying heed to it.”
He also said the government has failed to enforce the ongoing lockdown in the country as it has not taken any step to feed the low-income people and destitute. “Forcing people to stay home without giving them food and money is inhumane and meaningless."
Fakhrul suggested the government to announce a seven-point incentive package for those affected by the second wave of coronavirus and the lockdown.
Also read: 25 Covid patients die in Delhi hospital
The party’s seven proposals are giving a one-time cash of Tk 15,000 for three months to each day-labourer and the low-income people who are badly affected by the lockdown, providing each worker of the informal sector with a one-time cash of Tk 15,000 for three months, bringing all the poor under the 'protection assistance' package, fairly preparing a list of disadvantaged beneficiaries of government's assistance, announcing special incentives for SMEs, institutional and informal industries and agriculture sector, and disbursing loans from the state exchequer to the affected industrialists, entrepreneurs and expatriates without political consideration.
Fakhrul also urged the government to implement a Tk 87,000 crore incentive package presented by their party last year to deal with the fallouts of the coronavirus pandemic.
He also called for taking a comprehensive plan based on national unity to tackle the coronavirus and its adverse impact since the entire nation is passing through a critical time.
The BNP leader alleged that the government’s wayward attitude over the coronavirus vaccine collection and uncertainties over getting the jabs from India have frustrated the entire nation.
He alleged that the ‘corrupt’ government has put the entire nation at a serious health risk ‘with its move to facilitate a pro-government business institution in importing the vaccine’.
Also read: BNP for 'all-party committee' to stop Covid surge
Fakhrul said the crisis over the vaccine was created as the government depended on a single source. “From the very beginning, we’ve repeatedly talked about procuring the vaccines from alternative sources alongside India. But nothing was done in this regard, creating the vaccine crisis.”
He accused the government of arresting BNP leaders and activists and alem-ulema by launching a crackdown in the name of enforcing a countrywide lockdown.
The BNP leader also said the government is trying to suppress people by implicating them in different cases under repressive laws like the Digital Security Act so that no one dares talk about its misdeeds, corruption, repression and 'fascist' rule.
Fakhrul urged BNP leaders and activists to stand by the poor and destitute to ease their sufferings at this bad time of the coronavirus pandemic.
Referring to media reports, he said the country’s food security will be at stake as the government has no adequate food stock.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader urged the government to immediately start procuring paddy from farmers after fixing a fair price and expedite the OMS program to ensure rice at a lower price for poor people.
Repeal Digital Security Act: BNP to govt
Accusing the government of harassing journalists and opposition leaders and activists by implicating them in “false” cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP on Friday demanded the cancellation of the law.
In a statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Khulna Press Club’s former vice president and NTV bureau chief Abu Tayeb Munsi has been arrested and sent to jail by implicating him in a false case under the DSA for publishing news on “corruption, immoral and illegal activities of Khulna mayor and his relatives”.
Besides, he said, “false” cases under the DSA were also filed against BNP leaders and activists in Feni and Laxmipur. “These heinous acts by the Awami government are just a small instance of the ongoing horrible misrule.”
Also read: Govt trying to prolong power using DSA: BNP
Fakhrul said writers, journalists, poets, cartoonists and human-rights activist are being repressed by arresting them in “false” cases under the Digital Security Act for writing on social media on the “failure, incompetence, repression, anti-democratic and anti-people activities, corruption, plundering, irregularities and reckless behaviour of the government, ministers and ruling party MPs and leaders”.
”After snatching democratic rights, black laws are now being used so that people can’t vent their grievances in digital platforms,” he alleged.
The BNP leader also said the journalists who are trying to work freely in the media and opposition leaders who are taking part in the anti-government movement are facing dire consequences with the DSA’s abuse. “Journalist Abu Tayeb was arrested under the DSA as part of the government’s move to gag the media.”
Also read: Kamal demands abolition of DSA
He said the government is using repressive black laws like the Digital Security Act to hang onto power by suppressing people. “The present government can’t tolerate even the slightest criticism since it’s not elected by people. People’s freedom of speech, freedom of expressing and free thinking has been snatched using the black laws only to protect them from public wraths.”
Even in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Fakhrul said the government has exposed its “fascist character by abusing the DSA”.
“The Digital Security Act is undoubtedly a repressive black law. Despite demands from journalists, intellectuals and civil society, and political and human rights organisations at home and abroad for repealing the black law, the government is abusing the law to perpetuate its authoritarian and fascist rule,” he observed.
Fakhrul demanded the immediate release of Journalist Abu Tayeb and BNP leaders and activists by withdrawing the cases filed against them under the DSA. “We strongly demand the government stop harassment of people and withdraw the repressive law, the Digital Security Act.”
Govt has link with Hefazat, alleges BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that it is the government, not BNP, that has a link with Hefazat-e-Islam.
“They (govt) have established a reign of terror in the country. Several thousand people have been arrested in the last few days since March 26. Our party workers in Chattogram, Brahmanbaria and Dhaka can’t stay at home at night,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said, “Our leaders and workers were arrested by conducting block raids in Keraniganj. If we protest against it, they say we’ve a link with Hefazat. But the fact is that it’s you who has the link with Hefazat. You’ve made an agreement with them (Hefazat) by sitting at a meeting at the house of the Prime Minister.”
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) arranged the virtual discussion on the coronavirus situation.
Fakhrul also said the Prime Minister has clearly said her party has given Hefazat huge money and did many things for the Quami madrasas.
“So, you (AL) have taken the responsibility of Hefazat and you’ve to fulfil the responsibility. You’re deceiving people in carrying out that responsibility. You’ve lost all the confidence of people, and you’ve now started torturing them. You’ve turned this country into a police state,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is not giving people and political parties any scope to express their own views.
Also read: BNP demands release of arrested religious leaders
Though the government talks about democracy, he said, it is unwilling to allow anyone to protest or speak against it. “You also don’t want anyone to speak against injustice and identify your mistakes. So, you can no longer be a democratic government.”
Fakhrul alleged the government has failed to tackle the coronavirus situation and ensure vaccine doses for the country’s people. “We don't know whether those who received the first dose of vaccine would get the second dose as there’s a speculation that India is not going to export the vaccine.”
He also criticised the government for depending on a single country for the vaccine instead of collecting it from different sources and countries.