Bangladesh: Khaleda Zia says ‘This country is ours; we must build it’ in response to violence, vandalism, and looting of state resources

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Khaleda Zia expressed concerns regarding the widespread violence, vandalism, and looting of state resources, Dhaka Tribune reported.

During a meeting with Maulana Mamunul Haque, secretary general of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, she said, “Our state’s resources are being wasted. This country is ours; we have to build this country.”

Khaleda Zia reminisced about her good relationship with the late Shaikhul Hadis Azizul Haque, father of Maulana Mamunul Haque. She also expressed her concern over the harm caused to people’s lives and property, calling it a serious incident. She further lamented that many people are involved in the looting of state resources, which is unjust, according to meeting sources.

Upon being asked about the same, Khilafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin said, “Begum Khaleda Zia is an oppressed woman. We were imprisoned for a long time. Maulana Mamunul Haque was also in jail for a long time. Prisoners love prisoners the most. Under the leadership of Maulana Mamunul Haque, we went to the hospital to enquire about her health.”

Regarding the meeting, Maulana Ataullah Amin responded, “The situation in the country is not good. He is concerned about the loss of human life and property. Looting state resources is not the right thing to do. Allah will punish those who do injustice.” He said, “Begum Zia has asked for prayers for the people of the country, for herself.”

 President Mohammed Shahabuddin orders release of Khaleda Zia

On August 5, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin issued an order for the release of Khaleda Zia. The decision came shortly after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and left the country.

In a statement on Monday, the president’s press team announced that a meeting led by Shahabuddin had “decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately.”

“The meeting has also decided to free all the people who have been arrested during the student protests,” the statement added.

Khaleda Zia, 78, a former Bangladeshi prime minister, is currently confined to a hospital due to poor health. In 2018, she was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Zia and Sheikh Hasina have a long-standing feud, with Zia accused of abusing her position by embezzling nearly USD 250,000 in donations meant for a trust for an orphanage, according to Al Jazeera.