BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has remarked that instead of addressing allegations of corruption, the government is actively seeking new methods to engage in corrupt practices.

Speaking at a seminar in Manikganj on Tuesday, June 5, he said, “At a seminar organized by the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), the country’s most renowned economists stated that the economy is on the brink of disaster.

They (the government) refuse to acknowledge this. They constantly claim that the economy is doing well because their corruption is ongoing. They are looking for new ways to expand their corrupt activities. Through mega projects, they are facilitating mega corruption.”

Mirza Alamgir added, “You will see that they do not undertake any project without securing commissions. Several new financial institutions have been established, including one called ‘Nagad.’ Each transaction through Nagad incurs a five percent commission. Where does this commission go? It is transferred abroad. I do not wish to name anyone, but this money ends up with a specific individual outside the country. This is not an isolated incident; there are more such cases.”

The Dhaka District BNP organized the seminar to mark Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s 43rd martyrdom anniversary. The seminar theme was “Ziaur Rahman’s Role in Democratic Progress, Freedom of Expression and Press, and the Canal Digging Program.”

Professor Md. Jamal Uddin from the Department of Environmental Science at Jahangirnagar University presented the keynote paper.

BNP’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Tarique Rahman, joined the seminar virtually from London.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul advised the publication of a short book on Ziaur Rahman’s illustrious career and the organization of seminars at the grassroots level to spread Zia’s ideals.

The seminar was presided over by Dhaka Division Organizing Secretary Abdus Salam Azad and conducted by Assistant Organizing Secretaries Benazir Ahmed Tito and Kazi Sayedul Alam Babul. Speakers included BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Professor Tazmeri S.A. Islam, Manikganj District BNP President Afroza Khanam Rita, political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury, Dhaka University Professor Mamun Ahmed, Jahangirnagar University Professor Kamrul Ahsan, and former General Secretary of the National Press Club Syed Abdal Ahmed.

Earlier in the afternoon, the BNP Secretary General inaugurated a book fair at the Zia Memorial Library in Manikganj city.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Abdus Salam, Afroza Khanam Rita, the district’s General Secretary S.A. Kabir Jinnah, and other leaders from Manikganj were present.