Expressing grave concern over the prevailing political instability and vandalism, the country’s leading trade bodies have urged the 18-party alliance to call off its nationwide 60-hour hartal keeping in mind the general people and national economy. They urged the political parties to resolve the political impasse through dialogue, shunning the path of confrontation and destructive political activities like hartal.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) made the request on Saturday.
In a press statement, the FBCCI said the Federation, on behalf of the country’s business community, was concerned over the political stalemate as it was having a negative impact on the national economy. “The present political impasse is leading the national economy towards uncertainty,” it said.
To keep the pace of the present economic progress, the country’s apex trade body urged the opposition party to call off its three-day hartal beginning on Sunday.
The FBCCI hoped that all political parties will create a positive environment to resolve the political dispute through talks and following the politics of patience and understanding, instead of hartal like destructive and confrontational politics. It hoped to get a positive response from them soon.
Although the overall economic indicators of the country are in a sound position, investment will be hindered and the national growth target might not be achieved due to the present unfavourable political situation across the country, it said, adding: “It is never acceptable…”.
The business community always stands against hartal like destructive activities for the greater interest of the national economy, the FBCCI said.
“Ensuring political stability at any cost across the country is urgent to attain the expected national growth,” the FBCCI thinks.
The Federation has sent letters to the two main political parties seeking approval of holding talks to find a fruitful solution to the political problems and addressing businessmen’s plight.
The FBCCI will welcome any initiative by the Prime Minister and the main opposition party chief for reaching a consensus on the political stalemate.
The DCCI president, M Sabur Khan, told The Independent that political parties should resolve the dispute through a political approach, avoiding hartal-like destructive activities.
Since Independence, political parties have been using hartal as a major tool for realising their demands, thereby adversely affecting the economy, Khan said. Leaders are in politics only for power, not for the well-being of the people and progress of the national economy, he said.
“Both the ruling party and the main opposition party should reach a compromise formula for resolving the political crisis,” the DCCI president added.
-With The Independent input
