Dhaka:Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman accused the government of targeting opposition leaders to cover up its 'failures and incompetence' on Tuesday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made these remarks while speaking to journalists at his official residence on Minto Road. The occasion was marked by the welcoming of former lawmaker Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman, who was greeted with flowers by party leaders following his release from jail.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman warned the government against suppressing dissent, stating that such attempts would not deter Jamaat from continuing its struggle for people's rights. He emphasized that the party fears only Allah and not any form of intimidation.
He further urged the government to avoid an authoritarian approach, cautioning that attempts to silence the opposition would not be accepted by the people. Dr. Shafiqur described the case against Akhtaruzzaman as 'false' and alleged unjust treatment towards the former lawmaker.
Akhtaruzzaman was arrested in connection with a case involving allegations of creating disorder and obstructing official duties at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The protest reportedly arose due to delays in baggage delivery and a shortage of luggage-handling services and trolleys. Akhtaruzzaman, a former BNP lawmaker, joined Jamaat on December 13 last year, before the 13th parliamentary election.