The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Chittagong

BNP Central Committee Economic Affairs Secretary Golam Akbar Khandaker on Friday said he feels immensely the necessity of reforms not only in political parties, but also in all key-sectors of national life, including the administration, for stability, sustainable democracy and desired progress of the country.

"Change in the old mindset is a foremost prerequisite to have a meaningful and lasting reforms," he said while speaking at a press conference arranged to highlight the party's position and activities in the wake of lifting of the ban on indoor politics.

He also announced the programmes of the BNP chalked out on the occasion the death anniversary of President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the party.

The press conference was held at BNP Chittagong north district unit office at Nasiman Bhaban on Noor Ahmed Road in the city.

Unit leaders of BNP and its different front organizations including Afser Ahmed Chowdhury, Shahjahan Seraj, Dr. Mohammad Nur-Un-Nabi, SM Fazlul Haq, divisional president of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, AM Nazimuddin, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Prof. Younus Chowdhury, Alhaj Salahuddin, Sathi Uday Kusum Barua, Jasimuddin Sikder and Mohammad Joynal, among others, attended the function. Khandaker, who is also the president of the BNP north district unit, and said the government should immediately release the party leaders by withdrawing the cases filed against them to pave the way for creating congenial atmosphere to hold a free, credible and acceptable election.

Responding to a question, he said release of the political leaders particularly BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was a must to create an affable atmosphere for talks for making the ongoing dialogue meaningful and successful.

He said the BNP has not been facing any obstacle in running the party activities smoothly since the government lifted the ban on indoor politics throughout the country by complying with the government guidelines to this effect.

BNP north district unit has taken weeklong programmes to observe the 27th death anniversary President Ziaur Rahman in a befitting manner, the conference was told.

The programmes includes discussion meeting at party office at 3pm today, hoisting at half-mast the national and party flags at party office on Friday morning, placing wreaths at the first grave of Shaheed Zia at Rangunia at 9a.m. tomorrow, offering fateha and munajat and discussion meeting at district council auditorium in the afternoon.

He said each ward, union and upazila units of the party and its front organizations under the district committee's jurisdiction have drawn elaborate programmes to mark the anniversary.