Dhaka: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman strongly condemned the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and aspiring independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured after armed assailants opened fire on him in the capital's Paltan area today. 'Sharif Osman Hadi has been severely injured by the bullet of an assailant. I express my intense protest and condemnation regarding this brutal incident,' he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the sixth day event of the BNP's 7-day programme titled 'Plan for Nation Building' at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) Convention Hall in the city. At the same time, he urged everyone in the party, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), to cooperate with law enforcement agencies so that they can conduct a fair investigation and find the assailants.
He emphasized that if attacks by assailants like the one on Hadi are to be stopped, democracy must be established. Highlighting the country's current critical situation, Tarique Rahman called for national unity to tackle ongoing conspiracies. He noted that the incident involving Osman Hadi shows that those who seek to undermine the country's independence, sovereignty, and stability have started their conspiracies.
Tarique Rahman urged everyone to refrain from spreading confusion and to resist injustice at all costs. He stressed that citizens must remain vigilant and active to regain their lost democratic rights. During his speech, the Acting Chairman also announced that the eight issues discussed with JCD leaders over the past few days constitute the BNP's roadmap for future national development.
The eight issues are women empowerment and the family card scheme, digital transformation in education with 'One Tab, One Teacher', employment and IT facilities, support for content creators and free Wi-Fi, creating IT workspaces for young entrepreneurs, overseas employment with a focus on skills and language, healthcare and prevention with the appointment of one lakh health workers, and public-private partnership in health services.