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Published : 15 Feb 2015, 05:51 PM
He alleged the demonstration, led by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was an “international conspiracy”.
“Pakistan is directly involved in it,” Tofail told a press conference of the ruling 14-Party coalition in Dhaka on Sunday.
The Awami League Advisory Council member continued: “A Pakistan embassy official has been expelled. Pakistan is providing all assistance to this (BNP’s) movement because they want to avenge their 1971 defeat.”
Khaleda, whose party sat out the 2014 parliamentary polls, announced an indefinite blockade on Jan 5 to press for a snap election under a ‘neutral government’, a demand the ruling party vehemently rejects.
The 14-Party alliance has announced countrywide mass processions for Feb 20 against anarchy during the ongoing BNP-sponsored blockade.
Interactions with people from all walks of life will take place on Feb 17 and 18, ruling coalition’s spokesperson Mohammed Nasim announced after a meeting at Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi office.
A rally will be held at Rajshahi’s Kantakhali on Feb 23.
Nasim, also the health minister, claimed the situation was “normal” in Bangladesh.
Commerce Minister Tofail said everyone was “worried” over the BNP-sponsored violence.
“The BNP is unleashing terrorism in the name of movement. These are acts of sabotage and militancy. Nobody compromised with them (militants and terrorists).
“If anyone did, then [George W] Bush would have held talks with [al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin] Laden and the US with IS.”
Earlier in the day, the High Court ordered the government to take necessary steps to stop anarchy unleashed in the name of political programmes like shutdowns and blockade.
