Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has vowed to work towards eliminating drugs from society, saying drug abuse has become a destructive force threatening the country’s social fabric.
“Drugs have destroyed society. A law to control drugs has been passed in parliament, but we want not just to control drugs; we want to eliminate them,” he told journalists in Chattogram on Tuesday.
The opposition leader made the remarks in response to questions after attending a conference of former Jamaat members and an orientation programme for municipal and union-level party officials at Safa Arcade in the city’s Chawkbazar area.
His comments came as he called for a stronger response to the drug problem, distinguishing between controlling the menace through legislation and eliminating it altogether.
Rahman also urged party leaders and activists to focus on addressing people’s real problems rather than responding to baseless statements and propaganda.
“We do not have time to respond to every careless remark. Our main task is to solve the real problems facing the people,” he said at the conference, held at the GEC Convention Centre.
Referring to the July mass uprising, he said people had not sacrificed their lives to make way for looting, extortion and injustice. He warned that those who violate people’s rights, exploit others or engage in wrongdoing would eventually be held accountable.
The Jamaat chief also expressed concern over the outlook for upcoming local government elections, alleging that ruling-party figures in some areas had threatened to withhold development funds unless their party’s candidates were elected.
He further commented on the public carrying of firearms by political figures, saying that although a person’s intentions might be good, such actions could set a dangerous example for others.
Several senior Jamaat leaders, including former lawmaker Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary-General Mohammad Shahjahan and Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer and MP Nurul Islam Bulbul, also addressed the conference.
