Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has questioned how former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family members left the country without obstruction despite the allegations of amassing huge assets illegally.

Speaking at a discussion programme on Saturday, he also said this incident exposed the ruling party leaders' claims of not sparing wrongdoers as mere eyewash and deception.

“I saw a media report that Benazir (ex-IGP) and his family went to Singapore, leaving the country on 4 May. Before leaving, he emptied all his bank accounts and withdrew around Tk 60 crore. I don’t know whether the amount is much bigger,” Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader further said, “My question is, how did he leave the country? So what is the significance of a court order to confiscate his assets and freeze his bank accounts and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s move to file a case against him? When he was told he wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere, how did he sneak off to Singapore right under the government's nose?”

He said the ruling party leaders also made remarks that no one involved in corruption would be spared. “Do they (the government) think all people are stupid? The people of Bangladesh are not imprudent, as they understand all these are your eyewashes and deceptions. You’re ruling the country by resorting to trickery.”

Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 43rd death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Fakhrul said the government not only nurtured Benazir and Aziz Ahmed (the former army chief) but also promoted countless corrupt individuals.

He said the Awami League has turned Bangladesh into a safe haven for plundering, and its leaders are letting the public spend money and assets like the nitrous bargis of the 17th century.

“We must protect the country from it. We believe that through the struggle and fight of the people of Bangladesh, we will defeat this monster that is wreaking havoc everywhere, establish a government of the people, and restore true democracy," the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul said the BNP, together with many other opposition parties, have long been carrying out a movement for the restoration of democracy.

Stating that they must achieve victory and success in their struggle, the BNP leader said their party will never step back from its ultimate goal of establishing people’s voting rights and democracy.

“Our goal remains unwavering. Strategies may change over time; we will decide that through discussions…we’re working hard to organise them all. We believe we have not failed. We have started working again. Inshallah, victory will be ours as we’re fighting on the path of truth and justice," Fakhrul observed.