The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A total of 105 former lawmakers of BNP yesterday demanded the release of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman, sons of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia immediately to send them abroad for better treatment abroad on humanitarian grounds.

In a joint statement signed by Principal Sohrab Uddin if said that it was regretable that though former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been released for better treatment abroad but the two sons of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia were not allowed on the same ground.

"It is very painful that Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman are seriously ill. They are facing death. But the government is keeping mum and not taking any measure for them," they said.

The former BNP MPs argued why the humanitarian ground would not be applicable to them when Sheikh Hasina was released on similar ground.

"Two systems of laws cannot be applied in the same country," they said.

They also demanded the release of all political prisoners, including Begum Khaleda Zia and withdrawal of state of emergency for the return of traditional politics.

The former lawmakers also include Shajahan Chowdhury, Selim Reza Habib, M Ilias Ali, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizam, Engr Shamsuddin, Kalimuddin Ahmed Milon, Abul Hossain Khan, Kazi Rafiqul Islam, Abul Kalam Azad, M Nurul Islam, Habibul Islam Habib, Prof Shahidul Islam, Moshiur Rahman and Abul Khair Bhuiyan.