BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has held a meeting with retired military officers. This discussion took place on Tuesday night at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan.
Presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conducted by Maj Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, the programme was attended by BNP Standing Committee member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Vice-Chairman Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, and retired officers of the army, navy and air force.
Speaking at the meeting, several retired officers urged Tarique Rahman to return home immediately and take charge of the party.
They also prayed to Almighty Allah for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital.
Quoting party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Tarique mentioned that the last event his mother attended before falling seriously ill was on the 21 November.
He added, “After returning from that event, she became unwell. The context of her falling ill after attending the army event is different. Even before going, she was somewhat unwell. Doctors repeatedly advised that it might be better if she did not attend.
“Yet, despite her condition, she gathered all her mental strength and went. After she returned, we spoke.”
Tarique continued, “My younger brother’s wife, who accompanied her to the event, told me that throughout the programme and after returning home, she was so mentally uplifted that it did not seem she was a seriously ill person.
“From this, I believe there is no doubt about the relationship the Zia family shares with you [military officers] – whether you are in service or retired.”
The BNP acting chairman pointed out, “I believe this discussion will help those present here, listening, or watching online to understand where her heart lies, and how she views Bangladesh’s defence sector.”
Tarique also presented BNP’s plans for rebuilding the country to the retired officers and sought their cooperation in turning Bangladesh into a democratic state.
