Jamaat, BNP to continue working together in national interest: Shafiqur after meeting Tarique
During his visit, Shafiqur Rahman also signed the condolence book to pay his respects to the late leader
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (1 January) said his party had worked together with the BNP in the past in national interest and would continue to do so in future.
"We have worked together in the past in the interest of the country and will do so again in future. Tarique Rahman and other BNP leaders have expressed the same aspiration, so have we," Shafiqur Rahman told journalists during a press briefing after a meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
He said the country is at a critical juncture, with a national election and a referendum scheduled to be held on the same day. The referendum would be held for reforms, while the general election would be for forming the government.
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Shafiqur said they also discussed the need for the 12 February election to be held in a smooth, fair and acceptable manner.
"It is also in our interest whether we can all think of something good together for the sake of the stability of the nation for the next five years. Immediately after the election, before forming the government, we will sit down, talk openly. We will think about the nation and make decisions for the nation," he added.
Referring to Khaleda Zia, he said, "May we be able to fulfil our responsibilities by standing on the foundation of unity that Madam has created."
The Jamaat ameer said Khaleda Zia had led the nation three times as prime minister and had lived a lifelong, uncompromising struggle for the restoration of democracy and citizens' rights.
During that struggle, she had spent the final years of her life in prison, and those who ruled the country at the time had treated her inhumanely, he added.
He also said despite repeated requests from her party and family for permission to seek treatment abroad when she became seriously ill, the government did not respond and instead mocked the situation.
Although she later received treatment overseas, the Jamaat ameer said significant damage had already been done to her health.
After returning from the UK, her health deteriorated further and she had to continue treatment in the country, he added, praying for her eternal peace and expressing gratitude to Tarique Rahman, his family, BNP leaders and activists, and the doctors involved in her treatment.
Shafiqur Rahman visited the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan this evening to convey condolences to Tarique Rahman and his bereaved family over the death of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
The meeting took place around 7pm. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed were present, according to the BNP Media Cell.
During the visit, the Jamaat ameer also signed the condolence book to pay his respects to the late leader.
He said Khaleda Zia had left behind a rare legacy of honour in history, noting that people bid her farewell with deep emotion and tears.
"This was her due," he said, adding that her contributions to the nation had been recognised by the people and would continue to inspire others to serve the country.
"If we can make such a contribution to the nation, maybe the people of this country will bid us farewell like this one day," he added.
