Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will support the government in public welfare and other good initiatives instead of blindly opposing all of its activities, the party’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has said.

He made the remarks at a press briefing on Tuesday (October 6) following a meeting between Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the opposition leader’s official residence.

Golam Parwar said the opposition leader held discussions with BTMA leaders, the principal suppliers to the country’s readymade garment industry, in a cordial atmosphere. BTMA Vice President Shafiqul Islam Sarker, along with directors and senior officials of the association, attended the meeting.

He said the opposition has an important responsibility toward the country and that Jamaat does not believe in opposing the government simply for the sake of opposition, as previous political parties have done.

“According to the policy being followed by the current opposition in parliament, we will support government initiatives that serve the public interest,” he said.

However, he said Jamaat would protest against any action that goes against public interest and would point out the government’s mistakes.

“When the government acts against the public interest, the opposition will constructively play its role by protesting, criticizing and, if necessary, resisting such actions,” Golam Parwar said.

Referring to the meeting with BTMA leaders, he said the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere and that the Jamaat Ameer assured the business leaders of the party’s support.

“You have patriotism and a sense of responsibility toward the people of the country. You are also sincere and committed to your businesses and professions. We will stand by you and play our role in parliament,” he quoted the Jamaat Ameer as saying.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Haque Zubair, Dhaka South City Jamaat Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Dhaka North City Jamaat Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin and Executive Council member Mobarak Hossain were present at the meeting.