Mirza Fakhrul terms Road Transport Act unrealistic

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said that the new Sarak Paribahan Ain-2018 (Road Transport Act-2018) is not a ‘practical’ one as the government enacted it without any discussion with relevant stakeholders.

“Our governments are always held hostage to a quarter of transport workers. But the Road Transport Act made by the government is not realistic one. Had it been implemented through discussions with all, discontent among workers would not have created,” he said.

Amid the ongoing transport strike demanding amendment to the Road Transport Act, the BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to newsmen at his Kalibari residence in Thakurgaon district town, reports news agency UNB.

Mirza Fakhrul said the Road Transport Act should be pragmatic one through the discussions with all the stakeholders. “But the problem is that the government doesn’t think it’s necessary to discuss these things with others.”

He also said the transport act should be implemented through talks with the stakeholders giving high importance to the issue. “A strong law should be there in this regard with its proper enforcement.”

Fakhrul said the government has failed to deliver on all fronts since it is not elected with people’s votes. “It is difficult for an unelected government to establish good governance in the country.”

“There’s no parliament in the country as the current one was not elected by people … the system of governance has collapsed and Bangladesh has turned into a failed state,” the BNP leader observed.

He said the administration and the different law enforcement agencies are not performing their duties properly as the government is losing control on them.

Referring to recent protests at universities, Fakhrul said less eligible and inferior persons have been made vice chancellors.

“The president and general secretary of Chhatra League’s Jahangirnagar University unit have been removed. But the VC remained in her post even after allegations brought against her were proven,” he claimed.

Mentioning that it is difficult to fight against fascism, the BNP leader said protests have already begun. “I believe a mass upsurge will ensure the fall of the current regime.”

He claimed that the government has kept BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail in “false and fabricated” cases out of its political vengeance.

“The government is not releasing Khaleda Zia. She has the legal right to get bail which she is being denied intentionally. The government does not want her to get out of jail,” said Fakhrul.