Dhaka, Dec. 13 -- Freedom fighter and former BNP lawmaker Akhtaruzzaman has joined the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami.

The retired Army major completed the party's associate membership process after meeting Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman at its office in the capital's Moghbazar.

In a statement, Jamaat said that during the meeting, Akhtaruzzaman expressed confidence in the party's ideology and principles, as well as its stance on safeguarding Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.

The party added that he pledged to dedicate the rest of his life to upholding Islamic values and working in what he described as the national interest, while remaining loyal to Jamaat's rules and discipline.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwa...