Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif on Wednesday said it is opposition leader Khaleda Zia who wrote the article in the Washington Times lobbying for scrapping the Generalised System for Preferences (GSP) facility for Bangladesh.
“We have evidence. We’ve contacted Washington Times executive editor David S Jackson to verify the proof. He also confirmed about the write-up and we have the letter,” he said while addressing a press conference at the party presidents’ office at Dhanmondi in the city.
Hanif said there is no chance to disown the Khaleda’s write-up published in the Washington Times on January 30 at a time when knowledge and modern science and technology reach such level. “The nation won’t forgive such suicidal attempt against the people and the country made only for political gains.”
The ruling party leader expressed the optimism that Bangladesh will be able to regain the GSP facility suspended by the US very soon overcoming all odds. “We seek cooperation of all concerned in this regard.”
Turning to the main opposition BNP’s allegation that the government is trying to influence in the Gazipur City Corporation polls, Hanif said “We want to assure the countrymen that the Election Commission is conducting the electoral activities independently. Voters will exercise their franchise in a fair manner like other elections held under the current regime.”
Awami League leaders AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Bodiuzzaman Bhuiyan were, among others, present at the press conference.
