Mirza Abbas spoke as the chief guest at the 10th death anniversary ceremony of Arafat Rahman Koko at BNP's Nayapaltan office today. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 24, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas today said no political party endured the devastating consequences of the 1/11 political change more than BNP. 

“Many are now taking advantage of their freedom to speak against BNP. Some even claim that BNP is conspiring to bring back a 1/11 scenario, whereas BNP is the party who suffered most from the terrible consequences of the 1/11 political changeover,” he said. 

Abbas was addressing a doa mahfil at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office at 11am on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, founder of Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP) and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also addressed on the occasion.

Mirza Abbas said, “No BNP activists or leaders including BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia were spared from the devastating consequences of the 1/11 political changeover. For the sake of democracy, I urge everyone to speak thoughtfully and ensure that the public is not misled”.  

Mirza Abbas noted the sacrifices of the Zia family in restoring the country's democracy and independence saying, “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and his family’s contributions to the nation are unparalleled. Khaleda Zia has lost her husband and a son, endured seven years of imprisonment without cause, and continues to be a target of political vengeance”.

Khaleda Zia was subjected to slow poisoning, pushing her towards death, which he equated to an attack on the democracy, he said, adding, “Arafat Rahman Koko was systematically killed. Khaleda Zia was ill, and her other son, Tarique Rahman, was tortured and forced into exile. Koko was also forced to leave the country in poor health and later, returned as a corpse”.  

Some people are trying to claim that BNP is the cohorts of Awami League or India whereas from its inception, BNP has fought against the autocracy of Awami League, democratic erosion, Indian imperialism and foreign dominance, he said.  

BNP's Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali, Deputy Volunteer Affairs Secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, Deputy Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim Shahin, Deputy Youth Affairs Secretary Mir Newaz Ali, central members Shamsuzzaman Mehedi, Mahbub Alam, Mashiur Rahman Biplob, Dhaka south city BNP convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Jatiotabadi Sessasebok Dol President SM Jilani and General Secretary Rajib Ehsan were present, among others, on the occasion.