STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Prof Anu Muhammad yesterday expressed strong concern over parliament’s silence on the controversial trade agreement with the United States, demanding its immediate cancellation to protect the country’s economic security.

Speaking at a rally organised by the Democratic Rights Committee at Shahbagh in the capital, he said, “An elected government has come to power for the first time since 2014, but it is unfortunate that not a single lawmaker has uttered a word against this anti-state deal so far.”

The eminent economist alleged that the interim government signed the agreement in a “hurry” and with “over-enthusiasm” on February 9, just three days before the 13th national election.

Calling the move “beyond the jurisdiction” of the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led government, he said the debt and insecurity resulting from the deal would burden future generations.

He also described the agreement as a “colonial bond” that would allow the US to influence Bangladesh’s trade and military-strategic interests. He claimed it would

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