Jamaat chief urges caution over humanitarian corridor, port management decisions

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that the issue of establishing a humanitarian corridor should be carefully considered and may be better left to the next elected parliament.

"Two sensitive issues are being discussed recently. One is an initiative called the humanitarian corridor. It involves national security issues. So this issue needs to be considered carefully, nothing can be done in a hurry," he said during his opening remarks at the Central Majlish-e-Shura in the capital today (24 May).

"Taking any initiative in this regard without sitting with all the parties will not be beneficial for the country. We hope the government will take appropriate initiative in this regard. Or, since the issue is so big, it can be left to the next elected parliament, that would be better," he added.

Shafiqur also raised concerns about recent discussions surrounding the Chattogram Port management.

"An issue of port management has also come to the fore. The lifeline of our country is the Chattogram port. Many things depend on it. Seventy per cent of the entire foreign trade depends on it. We do not think it would be appropriate to decide on such a port management suddenly," he said.

He further cautioned against involving the military in controversial discussions, stressing its importance to national security.

"Our army is our pride. We do not want this institution of our pride to be made controversial through any activity, through any action of anyone… We believe that we should refrain from making any kind of comment about the army.

"This matter is related to the overall security of a country. If the army is made controversial, an independent country can be at great risk," said the Jamaat chief.

Commenting on the Rohingya crisis, he said the problem demands a humane and sustainable solution. "Those who have been living in Arakan, Myanmar, our neighbouring country, for generations, have been brutally oppressed and forcibly pushed into Bangladesh. We think this problem should be solved by humanitarian means. And the only solution is to return them to their own country with dignity and safety.

"Keeping them in a small country like Bangladesh, for generations, is really a risky matter. [Relief] is not a real solution. For this, we seek the cooperation of all peace-loving countries of the world."