Fakhrul hits back at PM over comment on Tarique Rahman

BNP yesterday termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remark about its acting chairman Tarique Rahman “devoid of political etiquette”.

“What the prime minister said about Tarique Rahman at her press conference is devoid of political norms. She has exposed her political vengeance through her comments,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while talking to reporters after the PM’s press conference.

Earlier in the day, Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed that the punishment BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman was given by court in various cases will surely be executed. She was speaking at a press conference at her official residence Gono Bhaban, about the outcome of her recent tri-nation visit.

Replying to a question by a journalist about the update over government efforts to repatriate Tarique, the PM said, “I hate to take this name.”

Tarique, who was declared a fugitive by Bangladesh courts, has been sentenced up to life in jail in several cases, on charges of money laundering, corruption and the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally.

On September 11, 2008, Tarique went to London for treatment, and has been living with his family there since then.

He was arrested on March 7, 2007 during the army-backed caretaker government, and later released on parole on September 3, 2008.

COUNTRY GOING THROUGH PERILOUS TIMES: RIZVI

Earlier in the day, BNP senior joint general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed said the country is now going through “perilous times”.

Speaking during a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also criticised Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud for what he said was a “false” statement involving BNP with a petrol bomb-like object found at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

“People at home and abroad know Bangladesh is now going through a dark phase of democracy, where fair election and freedom of expression have disappeared. The country is now seeing widespread incidents of killing, rape and extrajudicial killing,” he said.

Referring to media reports, the BNP leader said 41 children were raped in the first eight days of May while five people are being subjected to extrajudicial killing every day on an average.