Pumping money to engage lobbyists to mislead foreign policymakers and beg for the imposition of sanctions have long been signature tactics for BNPJamaat. Earlier, Toby Cadman, a Jamaat-hired lobbyist begged for sanction from the UK only to be criticised by the country’s top rights activists.
BNP chief Khaleda Zia in a write-up in a foreign press advocated for sanction back in 2013 when her party restored to violence to oust the government and boycotted the election. But a spell of violent attacks only eroded the party’s public support further.
On the other hand, top Jamaat leaders even reportedly spent 25 million USD to pursue the US to put pressure on the government to stop war crimes trials. And such political campaigns continued by the party still being going on. Several media reports exposed the party reportedly hired lobbyist firms to bring in sanctions on Bangladesh.
Reportedly left frustrated at HPM Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to friendly foreign countries, fresh efforts are on by BNP Jamaat to drive a wedge in the warmly bilateral ties with the US. Even in 2020, the party secretary wrote to Japanese leadership to mount pressure on the government, resorting to a barrage of half-truth-driven campaigns.
