Jamaat has no history of engaging with foreign intelligence agencies: Shafiqur Rahman

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that there is no history of his party holding meetings or having contact with the intelligence agencies of any (foreign) country.

He said Jamaat is a political party. There may be discussions with political opponents or friends, but the question of sitting in meetings with any intelligence agency does not arise.

His observation came on Wednesday in reaction to a statement made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on the third day of the fourth session of the National Parliament.

In his statement under Rule 300, the Home Minister agreed with the opposition leader's comment that recent instability is being provoked from across the border. At the same time, referring to Jamaat, he said that at various times secret meetings have been held in Dhaka between top leaders of a certain party and various foreign agencies. He said the public wants to know whether these meetings have any connection with the provocation from across the border.

In reaction to the Home Minister's statement, Shafiqur Rahman said, "The Home Minister has given an indication about a party having an understanding with foreign intelligence agencies, and it is necessary to clarify who that was meant for." He mentioned that a challenge had already been issued to present proof in support of such allegations.

The Jamaat Amir said that those making such allegations should look at their own actions in the mirror. He claimed that among the accusers there are individuals who have met with various intelligence agencies at home and abroad and have visited the countries of the relevant agencies to meet them. They have even publicly admitted their party's past policy mistakes and said they would not follow that path in the future.

In his speech, the opposition leader raised the matter of the Prime Minister's political assistant Rashed Khan. He said that a certain person keeps making various statements about them throughout the day. He says one thing in the evening, another at night, and yet different things the next morning and noon. He said it is not right to make allegations that Jamaat has held meetings with foreign intelligence agencies based on the statements of such a person.

At this time, Shafiqur Rahman alleged that he was wrongly quoted at a press conference on August 12. He said that at that press conference he did not say anything about forgiving the Awami League. In a speech of about 22 minutes, he did not even mention the name of the Awami League. He said the video of the statement is still preserved and anyone can verify it.

The Jamaat Amir also raised in Parliament the matter of some past statements by the current President. According to him, the President has spoken publicly about withdrawing various cases and providing facilities. Yet such statements were not made by Jamaat.

Regarding drug control, Shafiqur Rahman said that previously the drug syndicate was run under the control of the fascists, and now it has been stated in Parliament that some leaders of the ruling party are controlling it. He also said that a Member of Parliament has raised allegations of large drug consignments passing by the side of the Home Minister's house.

The opposition leader also questioned the law and order situation. He said that in a long political life he has repeatedly heard that the situation is improving compared to before. But by continually speaking of improvement in this way, Bangladesh has still not reached the desired position.

Referring to the Home Minister's statistics that the number of killings has come down from 22 to 12, Shafiqur Rahman said that for this he (the Home Minister) had expected praise from the opposition. But since the opposition did not clap, he himself clapped three times. He said that in the future, when the number of killings comes down to zero, everyone will clap together on behalf of the opposition.

Finally, the Jamaat Amir expressed the expectation of taking the country forward by maintaining the unity that was built against fascism in 2024.