Khaleda barred from going abroad due to vengeance: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Sunday said that the government is not allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment due to "political vengeance".

"Today, people of the country remain imprisoned. No one can speak their mind. Khaleda Zia is the only leader who can bring back democracy," Fakhrul told a protest rally organised by BNP's voluntary wing Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday morning.

Demanding the release of Khaleda Zia and her treatment abroad, the BNP secretary general said, "Bangladesh needs her [Khaleda] for stability and peace."

Fakhrul expressed solidarity with the ongoing student movement for "half pass" – half fares on public transports.

He said the government increased fuel prices that eventually led to the hike of bus fares at a time when families are struggling to pay for their children's tuition fees.

"The fuel hike was only for serving the interest of the Awami League syndicate."

"We support the [student] movement. The government should accept their demands and if necessary, subsidise bus fares," Fakhrul further said.

Addressing the rally, BNP leader Aman Ullah Aman said, "The government has been trying to kill Khaleda Zia by slow poisoning. And this is why they are not allowing her to go abroad.""

Among others, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal President Mustafizur Rahman, General Secretary Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Jewel, Krishak Dal President Hasan Jafir Tuhin and Juba Dal General Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku also attended the protest.