BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has remarked that the Universal Pension scheme introduced by the Awami League government is another ploy to embezzle public money. 

The Awami League intends to misappropriate these funds for their own purposes, including potential vote-buying, he said while addressing a BNP mass procession organised by Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP on Friday (18 August) afternoon.

The procession, which commenced at Dayaganj in the capital, is scheduled to conclude its route at Khilgaon, passing through locations such as Sayedabad Bridge, Dhalpur Community Center, Golapbagh, Kamalapur, and the Buddhist Temple.

BNP organised the rally to press home their one-point demand for a non-partisan polls-time government. The party is scheduled to hold mass processions all across the country including Dhaka at 3pm today (18 August). Like-minded parties are also holding processions along with BNP. 

BNP standing committee members, senior leaders and leaders of its associate organisations also took part in the rallies.

At the same time, Dhaka North BNP started its mass procession from Gulshan-2. It is scheduled to end at the Mohakhali bus stand via Gulshan-1 and Titumir College. 

BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas addressed the rally as the chief guest in this procession. BNP standing committee members, senior leaders and leaders of its affiliates were also present there.

After Friday prayers, leaders and activists started gathering at the starting points to join the mass processions. They were seen chanting slogans demanding the release of Khaleda Zia. 

Members of the law enforcement agencies were seen on alert.