Shafiqur alleges foreign-backed attempts to destabilise country

Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday alleged that attempts were being made to destabilise the country with the direct “backing” of a neighbouring country.

“Attempts are being made to create instability in different parts of the country with the direct backing of a neighbouring country. There are also efforts to destroy the country's main export sector – the garment industry,” he said.

Shafiqur, also the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer, was speaking at a meeting of opposition lawmakers, held at the chamber of the deputy opposition leader in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

He also expressed concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the Matarbari project, saying it had created confusion among the people about what was actually happening.

The opposition leader alleged that the government had completely failed to tackle the law-and-order situation, saying the opposition would remain active both in parliament and on the streets to protect the country's independence, sovereignty, and democracy.

He further alleged that there were concerns about a conspiracy to provide a corridor to another country under the cover of an agreement with Japan.

The meeting also discussed the renewal of the Ganges Water-sharing Treaty, the “deteriorating” law-and-order situation, alleged irregularities in the appointment of fertiliser dealers, the constitutional amendment committee and what the opposition described as the government's negligence in ensuring justice for the July massacre.

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam alleged that the government had failed to prevent the activities of what he described as fascist terrorists, with its weakness providing opportunities for terrorist groups to create anarchy across the country.

He also alleged that covert attacks were being carried out in different places and called for unity to resist the activities of fascist terrorists.