Reforms meaningless without ensuring safety: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that reforms are futile if they fail to ensure people's safety and contribute to building a better future for children.

"If reforms do not lead to overall human development, if they do not help build a future for our children or give them a secure life, then those reforms are of no use," he said today (29 July) at a children's programme organised during the democratic march by "Amra BNP Paribar" and "Maayer Daak" at Kamal Ataturk Avenue ground in Banani. 

Children from families of those killed, disappeared, or abducted in previous political violence also joined the programme.

"After the change, many people have secured good positions, become ministers, top officials, and successful in business. But we have not been able to bring to the forefront the children of those families who sacrificed their lives in the democratic struggle," Fakhrul said.

He expressed disappointment over the interim government's inaction in rehabilitating families of the disappeared. 

"This interim government, which claims to be committed to democracy, should have created special cells for rehabilitating these children and their families. Unfortunately, this has not happened," he said.

"We have fought for a long time and made sacrifices, yet many children still have not been reunited with their fathers. Their tears shake our emotions," Fakhrul said, urging the interim government to take special initiatives to rehabilitate the families and children of the disappeared.

Referring to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's pledge, Fakhrul added, "When our party comes to power, we will give the highest priority to rehabilitating the families and children of those who were disappeared, killed, or martyred."

Calling for collective efforts to ensure a secure and bright future for children,

he said, "We may not be able to bring their fathers back, but we can improve their lives."