'United efforts needed to eradicate drugs'

GOPALGANJ, Sept 27: S M Jilani, MP, President of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and lawmaker for Gopalganj-3 constituency, has called for a coordinated effort by imams, muezzins, government officials, political and social leaders, and families to combat drugs and terrorism.

Speaking at a discussion in Kotalipara Upazila of the district on Saturday on the role of imams and muezzins in tackling drugs and terrorism, Jilani said drug abuse destroys not only individuals but also families, society and the state.

He alleged that the previous government had weakened the economy by siphoning thousands of crores of taka abroad through corruption, leaving the current government to manage a fragile economy. He urged the public to give the government time, saying it would gradually bring all imams and muezzins under a government allowance scheme.

Referring to former PM Khaleda Zia, Jilani said she had never disparaged Islam or Islamic scholars and regularly met with them to hear and exchange views.

The meeting was chaired by Mawlana Abdul Jalil and addressed by several religious, political and social figures.