BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, during her first public address since 2018, urged the people of Bangladesh to stop 'politics of vengeance'.
"Let us create a Bangladesh of love and peace," the former prime minister said. She was virtually addressing a BNP rally in Nayapaltan yesterday afternoon.
"We have to create a united Bangladesh from the ruins of a dismantled democracy," she said.
Khaleda also expressed gratitude to all the 'brave children' for making the impossible into reality.
"After a long struggle, we have been liberated from the fascist, illegitimate government”, said Khaleda during her address.
She also prayed for the hundreds of martyrs during this recent turmoil.
Khaleda Zia is now free from jail. President Mohammed Shahabuddin yesterday changed the jail sentence imposed on her.
"We have to build a democratic Bangladesh which will be based on intelligence, competence, and knowledge. We must build Bangladesh free from all sorts of exploitation,” said the former prime minister.
"Let us empower our youth to build a modern Bangladesh based on progress and equality. Let us build a knowledge-based society, not destruction or revenge," she added.
The president passed the order under Article 49 of the Bangladesh Constitution. A gazette has also been issued in this regard by the home ministry.
The Article 49 of the Constitution of Bangladesh states, "The president shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites and to remit, suspend, or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal, or other authority."
Meanwhile, Two students managing traffic at Kakrail intersection have requested BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to ensure his car adheres to traffic rules on the way to the party's rally at Naya Paltan.
When, Fakhrul’s car reached at Kakrail intersection at 2:40pm on Wednesday, a short distance from the rally venue, the cheering BNP activists were already at the intersection.
Some activists started to shout and tried to take the secretary general's personal car through the wrong side. Some enthusiastic ones were again honking their bike horns.
In the meantime, two students working on traffic control at the intersection came to the car.
Fakhrul urges nation to remain calmFakhrul urges nation to remain calm
BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan was with Mirza Fakhrul in the car.
Narrating the incident, he said that two students came and greeted the secretary general.
Then they said, Sir, the car must obey the traffic rules.
In response, Mirza Fakhrul said, of course, the car will follow the rules.
However, due to a severe traffic jam, the BNP General Secretary reached the stage of Naya Paltan on foot with his fellow passengers from in front of Rajmoni cinema hall, reports Bangla Tribune.
The BNP held a rally in front of its Naya Paltan central office in Dhaka with the participation of tens of thousands of people.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed the rally as the chief guest, joining virtually from London.
