City Correspondent

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has described the threats to halt remittance flows as anti-national, anti-humanitarian and contrary to the interests of the people, criticizing the opposition party to the parliament.

“Such a threat means you are threatening to keep the people of the country hungry, halt the country’s development and disrupt economic activities. Remittance is a driving force of our national economy, and you are threatening to shut down that driving force. What kind of politics do you practice?” he said.

Remittances sent by Bangladeshis working abroad make a significant contribution to the national economy and support the livelihoods of their families back home. Millions of families depend on these funds, he added.

He made the remarks at an event organized by the ‘Zia Smrity Pathagar’ at the TSC auditorium of Dhaka University on Friday afternoon.

Rizvi said not all Bangladeshis living abroad support a particular political party. They include supporters of different political parties, ordinary citizens and people who have never been involved in politics, he added.

“By what authority will you shut down remittances? Is there any legal provision for this, or do you have some secret operation through which you intend to do it?” he said.

The BNP leader alleged that his political opponents had never prioritized national or public interests, instead placing party interests above those of the state.

“They have practiced politics for their party’s interests. They have prioritized party interests over national interests. The BNP, on the other hand, has always put the interests of the state and the people first,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said Chhatra Dal should strengthen its cultural and intellectual activities to restore the country’s lost cultural heritage, literature and glorious history.

He urged Chhatra Dal to organize essay competitions on the Liberation War and Ziaur Rahman at all educational institutions across the country.

Referring to reforms introduced by Ziaur Rahman across various sectors, Salam said, “Many people are shouting and making a fuss about reforms today. The reforms Ziaur Rahman introduced when he took responsibility for the state have yet to be matched by anyone.”

Salam also said Ziaur Rahman had made a significant contribution to the country’s politics despite not initially being a politician, adding that he had fostered healthy political practices.

He further alleged that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, like his daughter, had banned politics and pushed it underground.