DHAKA: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they would go for tougher programs, although demonstrations are being staged daily for the release of the party Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

He also said: “We will let you know the program schedule in due time.” 

Fakhrul was talking to the reporters following a joint meeting held at party office in city’s Nayapaltan area on Tuesday (August 28).

He said, “We stated it clearly that Khaleda Zia has to be released. It is our first condition. Then, other conditions such as: environment has to be created for election, neutral government during elections, reformation of Election Commission (EC) and the dissolution of parliament. Besides, all parties must be given equal opportunities, and army has to be deployed. We’ve said it again and again.”

He also said that permission has been sought to organize rallies at Suhrawardy Udyan or in front of the Naya Paltan party office on the occasion of founding anniversary of the party on September 1.

On February 8, The High Court sentenced five years’ imprisonment to Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. She was sent to Dhaka central jail following the verdict.

Since then, she has been in jail.

BDST: 1614 HRS, AUG 28, 2018

AH/AP/SMS