TDS Desk:

Ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken the initiative to purchase two bulletproof vehicles.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has granted permission for the vehicles to ensure the security of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during election campaigns.

According to ministry sources, permission for one bulletproof bus was granted at the beginning of this month, while approval for one bulletproof car was given in June.

BNP has not yet finalized which model or country the vehicles will be purchased from, though party sources indicate discussions are ongoing with Japan.

Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar, security adviser to the BNP Chairperson, said: “During the elections, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman will travel across the country for public outreach. They will interact with people. Ensuring their safety while maintaining public engagement is crucial. This is why the bulletproof vehicles are being purchased.”

In addition to bulletproof vehicles, BNP has applied to the Home Ministry for firearms licenses, requesting one shotgun and two pistols. The ministry confirmed that the license application is under consideration.

Obtaining Home Ministry approval is mandatory for importing bulletproof vehicles. Typically, such permissions are granted to the President, Prime Minister, chiefs of the three armed forces, foreign embassies, and representatives of the UN and other international organizations. Approval for political parties has been rare in the past.

Source: Prothom Alo