Businesses want violence-free political progs after Eid

As BNP keeps on threatening to wage a movement after Eid demanding a fresh election under a neutral administration, the country’s business community hopes that Khaleda Zia’s alliance this time will choose a non-violent programme to keep the economy unhurt. They think the time has come to realise the severe impact of political unrest on the economy and allow ‘peaceful’ political programmes and ‘business as usual’ together for the sake of unhindered growth apart from making the development achievements sustainable. ‘Politicians can do politics, but cannot destroy the economy through destructive activities, arson attacks and killings,’ FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said. President of Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) Abus Salam Murshedy said the last fiscal year was a volatile one and the economy witnessed bleeding due to political unrest. Murshedy, also former President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the time has come to allow business and political programmes together peacefully. ‘We don’t want any destructive politics that might impede economic activities,’ he added. BGMEA first vice president Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury expressed his optimism that BNP would not launch any destructive programmes after Eid-ul-Fitr. ‘I do believe the BNP won’t go towards any violent programmes. So far they have not given any indication that their anti-government programmes will be violent. That’s the good thing.’ Chowdhury said each political party has the right to go for systematic movement in a peaceful manner. On June 17, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia threatened to wage a strong movement after Eid to force the government for arranging a fresh national election. However, BNP’s Dhaka city unit committee convener Mirza Abbas recently said their post-Eid movement would be peaceful unless the government obstructs it and shows undemocratic attitude, according to UNB.