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Zakir Hossain in Dhaka
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam has asserted that the responsibility to resolve Bangladesh’s political and economic crises rests solely with its own people—not with global powers or regional leaders. “Donald Trump will not come from the United States to decide our fate. Neither Xi Jinping from China nor Narendra Modi from India will do so. It is we who must take responsibility for our future. This is something we must embed in our hearts,” Islam said at a seminar held on Saturday at North South University in Dhaka.
The remarks come at a time when Bangladesh faces mounting challenges, including internal political uncertainty and growing economic pressure following new US trade tariffs. Mr Islam voiced concern over the potential fallout, warning of a deeper crisis unless the situation is addressed with urgency and unity. Reflecting on the country’s history, Islam said that during the 1971 Liberation War, Bangladeshi leaders from differing ideological backgrounds—be it socialism, communism, or religion—came together for a common cause. “In 2024, we witnessed a similar unity when students faced violence. The people of this country responded with a collective voice,” he added.
In a notable endorsement, the BNP leader praised Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus for taking on the role of interim head of government. Describing him as a unifying figure, Islam said, “Let us come together and support Professor Yunus. Through such cooperation, we help ourselves.”