The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) today reached an agreement on 10 joint decisions, including a commitment to refrain from making statements or decisions that contradict Islamic Shariah or oppose Islam, said IAB in a press release.
The agreement was finalised during a meeting between top leaders of both parties at IAB's central office in Dhaka's Paltan.
The BNP delegation was led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, while IAB's delegation was headed by Ameer Syed Md Rezaul Karim.
The decisions include establishing a sovereign, independent, sustainable, and democratic welfare state free from hegemony, expansionism, and imperialism through national consensus, according to the press release.
The parties pledged to ensure swift and exemplary punishment for corrupt individuals, terrorists, murderers, and money launderers through prompt judicial action.
Both parties agreed to form a national consensus to protect voting rights and all fundamental human rights, undertake necessary reforms, and arrange fair and acceptable elections as soon as possible.
The joint decision also emphasised controlling the rising cost of essential commodities, restoring law and order, and establishing the rights of deprived communities.
In addition, the BNP and IAB declared that all anti-Awami League fascist forces will work together to rebuild the country.
They also agreed to avoid attacks or remarks against each other and to remain politically united to prevent any fascist regime, such as the Awami League, from returning to power.
Shahidul Islam Kabir, media coordinator of IAB, told The Daily Star that the meeting started at 12:17pm and continued until 2:15pm.
Fakhrul was accompanied by BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, while Rezaul Karim was joined by IAB leaders, including Syed Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani and Maulana Yunus Ahmad.
This meeting came in the wake of increasing efforts by the BNP to strengthen its ties with Islamist political groups ahead of the upcoming national election.
On January 21, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman met with Charmonai Peer and discussed various issues, while on January 22, Fakhrul held discussions with Khelafat Majlish leaders after a three-year hiatus in communication.