Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that his party will extend cooperation to government initiatives that benefit the country, but will firmly oppose any steps that they believe are harmful to national interests.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday morning after returning from an official visit to Japan.
Describing Jamaat’s political position, he said the party sees its role as a responsible opposition force. According to him, constructive initiatives from the government will be supported, but policies or actions that negatively impact the country will face strong political resistance.
He said it is the responsibility of opposition parties to identify mistakes and raise their voice when necessary, adding that public interest will remain the guiding principle of their political stance.
Sharing observations from his Japan visit, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Japanese authorities view Bangladesh’s current political situation positively.
He claimed that they differentiate between the present political environment and earlier arrangements, and appreciate a balance of cooperation and criticism from opposition groups.
He also mentioned discussions on strengthening bilateral relations, noting that continued responsible political behaviour in Bangladesh could enhance ties with Japan.
On healthcare, the Jamaat ameer expressed concern over the country’s limited cancer treatment facilities. He said many patients are forced to seek treatment abroad at high cost or face inadequate care locally. In this context, he proposed Japanese assistance in establishing a specialised cancer institute and hospital in Bangladesh.
He also visited injured individuals known as “July Warriors” undergoing treatment in Thailand, where he urged medical authorities to ensure proper care for their recovery.
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