Shafik’s arrest shows govt’s willful attitude: Khaleda

Terming senior journalist Shafik Rehman’s arrest as reflection of the government’s willful attitude, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today demanded his release immediately.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the BNP chief said the government wanted to divert people’s attention from its “terrible misrule” including killing, forced disappearance, abduction and attack on opposition men “by arresting a brave journalist like Shafik”.

She also demanded immediate withdrawal of all “fabricated and false” cases against Shafik.

Detectives picked up Rehman, also an eminent journalist, from his Eskaton residence and took him to the Detective Branch headquarters on Minto Road.

Seven hours later, he was placed on a five-day remand after Detective Branch (DB) Assistant Commissioner Hasan Arafat produced him before the court with a seven-day remand prayer.