Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 12th August 2023 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrest of 13 leaders and activists of Pabna district Jamaat-e-Islami including district Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary and Jamaat’s central Majlish-e-Shura member Professor Maulana Abdul Gaffar Khan.

“Polce arrested 13 leaders and activists of Pabna district Jamaat-e-Islami including district Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary and Jamaat’s central Majlish-e-Shura member Professor Maulana Abdul Gaffar Khan on 12th August morning. The reason behind this arrest drive is unknown. This is nothing but an arbitrary move of the police forces. I am vehemently condemning these arrest drives.

The government has been torturing and repressing the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami for 15 years and the latest arrest drive is nothing but a part of it. No government could not stay in power by carrying out such arrest drive and repression and this government will not be able to hold its office too.

The law enforcement agencies are being used as a mean of implementing government’s political agenda instead of discharging their assigned duties.

I am demanding immediate release of all detained Jamaat leaders and activists including Professor Maulana Abdul Gaffar Khan. Besides, I am calling upon the government to hand over power to the caretaker government immediately in order to hold a free, fair and credible election.