Rejecting Khaleda’s call for anti-terror national unity will invite danger, BNP warns govt

The government is pushing Bangladesh into a dangerous path by rejecting Khaleda Zia’s proposal to launch a united front against militancy, a BNP leader has said.

Nazrul Islam Khan sounded the warning in a meeting on Sunday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commented the nation was already united and the government will not forge unity with ‘terrorists and war criminals’.

Asked whether she thought extremism and terrorism will stop if the government sits with the BNP, she said she wondered whether terrorism will stop if a dialogue is held.

“That means, maybe they are trying to say that they will continue backing and carrying out terrorist activities if we don’t hold discussions.”

In reaction to Hasina’s comments, BNP’s Khan said, “We may have to pay the price for the government rejecting the call for unity.”

“The government is not paying any heed. But this can be dangerous. We want the government to understand the reality,” he added.

BNP chief Khaleda called for the unity after the recent terror attacks in Gulshan and Sholakia.