BNP will stage demonstrations across the country, including the capital, on Sunday in protest against the issuance of warrants for the arrest of its chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the protest programme at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on Thursday, reports the UNB.

He alleged that the arrest warrants were issued as part of the government’s a blueprint.  ‘The move was taken with a political motive.’

Rizvi said the government’s ‘vindictive’ attitude has got exposed with the court order. ‘We strongly protest and condemn it.’

He said their party leaders and activists will stage demonstrations in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka and all district towns, on Sunday protesting the arrest warrants.

He demanded immediate withdrawal of the court order.

Earlier in the day, Dhaka Special Court-5 issued the warrants for the arrest of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in two graft cases as she failed to appear before it.

Rizvi said their chairperson could not go to the court on security ground as the left-leaning parties enforced an eight-hour countrywide hartal protesting the fresh power tariff hike.  

He said Khaleda’s counsel also filed a petition seeking adjournment in today’s hearing due to the hartal. ‘Even, the lawyers in the petition mentioned that she wanted to appear before the court after the hartal hours. But the court issued the arrest warrants rejecting the petition. This order is contrary to justice.’

The BNP leader said their party thinks the order was issued at the behest of the government.