Business leaders have commended Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, for not resorting to violence and holding peaceful protests over the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case verdict that sent its chairperson Khaleda Zia to jail for five years.
Praising the party for its countrywide non-violent protests, Md Shafiul Islam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, said: “BNP did not wage any violent movement even after its chief was put in jail. Such behaviour of a political party is certainly positive for our country, as people do not like destructive activities in the name of protest.”
Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said there was manifest relief among businessmen at the party’s decision to opt out violent protests over the verdict’s outcome.
“We need a congenial atmosphere for the sake of the country’s development. People do not want to see violence anymore. It’s definitely positive for all of us that political leaders have finally realized it,” he added.
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Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of the Export Association of Bangladesh, said the days of violent politics have come to an end in Bangladesh. “We, the businessmen, always want a peaceful and stable situation to prevail in the country so that our businesses are not hampered. We felt an incredible sense of relief as BNP showed restraint over the verdict.” Singing the same tune, former BGMEA president Atiqul Islam said they really appreciated the party’s decision to refrain from holding violent protests.
“We expect the political parties to act responsibly so that the country's peace and stability is not hampered.”
On February 8, Judge Dr Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka’s Fifth Special Judge Court sentenced BNP chief and former prime minister Khaleda Zia to five years’ imprisonment in the graft case.
The same court also sentenced five other accused, including Khaleda’s son and BNP’s acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, to 10 years’ imprisonment each and fined them Tk2.10 crore each.This article was first published on banglatribune.com
Thursday, June 04, 2026
