Khaleda Zia symbolised politics without vengeance: Moyeen Khan

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has said that former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia was a symbol of politics without vengeance and a great statesperson who genuinely practised democracy.

He made the remarks on Saturday, November 17, at a condolence meeting organised at the National Press Club, seeking eternal peace for Khaleda Zia’s soul. The programme was organised by the Lawyers’ Association and the World Human Rights Organisation Bangladesh.

Dr Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia’s thoughts, work, competence and love for people elevated her to such stature. He said that following the fall of autocratic rule through the mass movement of the 1990s, and in the context of the 1991 election, she emerged as an uncompromising leader. In that election, the people elected her as prime minister.

He added that Khaleda Zia set a true example of democratic practice. While serving as minister three times in charge of the Planning Ministry, he said, she never issued specific instructions and allowed ministers to work independently.

Referring to the nearly 47 false cases filed against her, Dr Moyeen Khan said she never sought to go beyond the law, which proved her respect for the legal system and her statespersonlike mindset.

At the meeting, BNP chairperson’s adviser Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said that initiatives such as introducing digital telephone exchanges during the 2001–2006 tenure and establishing direct communication with grassroots leadership through information technology reflected Khaleda Zia’s farsightedness.