<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir  said, “This regime is responsible for the sanctions. This has happened as they tried to use the army unfairly. They used the army for various purposes.” </b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">He said that the government is responsible for the sanctions imposed by the United States on former army chief General Aziz Ahmed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said sanctions imposed on a former army chief is a matter of great shame for the nation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said there is no option but to remove the current regime from power to establish a pro-people government.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The US Department of State on Monday imposed sanctions on Aziz Ahmed and his immediate family members due to “his involvement in significant corruption".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fakhrul said different media outlets, especially the international ones, carried out reports on irregularities by General Aziz. “But the government did not take any action, no one has the right to defame the nation and diminish its dignity and honour.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stating that the military is the most trusted institution of the nation, he said the country’s people cannot accept that the army’s reputation was tarnished only because of the government.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Referring to the US sanctions on the officials of the elite force RAB, the BNP leader said the government did not learn any lessons from it. “Instead, they promoted some of them to the post of IGP…I don't know how much impact this (sanctions) has.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also accused the government of using the other force of the country only to hang onto power by force. “This is not only unfortunate for Bangladesh, but also a matter of shame and embarrassment."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fakhrul also said the government is trying to turn Bangladesh into a failed state in a planned way by annihilating democracy and resorting to corruption.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Replying to a question about the upazila elections, the BNP leader said he did not see any enthusiasm among the people about the polls as they have no interest in voting. "There is no discussion among the people about the polls anywhere since people have lost their confidence in the electoral system.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fakhrul also alleged that the government is destroying the soul of the nation, turning Bangladesh into a dependent and subservient country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd/fas</div>