The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday urged the people to forge national unity and launch a platform, brushing aside political differences, safeguard the national sovereignty and restore democracy.

Hizbut Tahrir, Bangladesh organised the roundtable on "the Change of One-Eleven and Regional Politics: the Ways to safeguard Bangladesh's Sovereignty and Security" at a city hotel.

Former Chairman of Board of Investment (BoI) Mahmudur Rahman and former BNP MP Maj (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman, Language Veteran Prof Abdul Gafur, former BDR

Chief Maj Gen (Retd) Fazlur Rahman, Journalists Amanullah Kabir and Mobaidur Rahman, Secretary General of Bangladesh Muslim League Atiqul Islam, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Moulana Zafarullah Khan and Joint Secretary General of Islami Shasontantra Andolan Prof ATM Hamayet Uddin, among others, addressed the meeting.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, Chief Coordinator and also spokesman of Hizbut Tahrir, Bangladesh, presented keynote paper at the roundtable presided over by Joint Coordinator of the party Kazi Morshedul Haque.

Mahmudur Rahman stressed the need for an immediate return to elected democratic governance. "Otherwise the national sovereignty and security would be at stake," he said, adding, "Because a non-elected government like the present Caretaker Government is vulnerable to external pressure."

Prof Abdul Gafur said the country should formulate foreign policy, identifying our natural friends and strategically friends.

"We want to see our neighbouring countries as friends, not as our masters, he said in an oblique reference to the recent Indian machination of rice export to Bangladesh.

Maj (Retd) Aktharuzzaman said Bangladesh should enhance its image internationally and establish its identity as moderate liberal country and avoid any conflict with others. "If Bangladesh can do so, it will be able to tap huge development opportunities including export of manpower to the western countries," he added.

Journalist Amanullah Kabir underscored the need for building knowledge based society in the country and adopt appropriate strategies in the foreign policy to safeguard the country's sovereignty and national security.