BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday strongly condemned the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent election hopeful from Dhaka-8, describing the incident as unacceptable under any circumstances. He called on the interim administration to take firm steps to uphold law and order over the coming two months, stressing that safeguarding both election candidates and the general public must remain the government’s top priority.

In a statement shared on social media, Fakhrul said the attack had shocked and angered people across the country, particularly as it occurred shortly after the election timetable was announced. He expressed optimism that the perpetrators would be identified and arrested swiftly, and that Hadi would receive appropriate medical care.

Fakhrul also appealed to political parties and their supporters to respond calmly and responsibly, warning that disorder or crowd-driven violence would only worsen the situation. He urged restraint and thoughtful action from all sides.

Emphasising the need for strong security arrangements, the BNP leader asked the interim government to maintain strict control of the law-and-order situation throughout the pre-election period. He added that, if required, a temporary and dedicated security body could be established to ensure public safety.

In a separate note, Fakhrul recalled an announcement made at a press briefing on Friday that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh on December 25. He described the date as significant for the party, for former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and for the country as a whole, expressing hope that Tarique’s homecoming would take place safely.

Tarique Rahman, who has remained in London since 2008, is set to return ahead of the upcoming national election, marking the end of nearly 18 years away from home.