Dhaka, Dec. 14 -- Former BNP lawmaker and freedom fighter Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman has joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, marking a notable shift in the country's evolving political landscape ahead of the national election.

According to a statement issued by Jamaat-e-Islami's Publicity Department, Akhtaruzzaman formally joined the party on Saturday morning by filling out Jamaat's associate member form during a meeting with party Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party's central office in Dhaka. The ceremony took place around 9:00am on December 13.

Jamaat Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim were present at the event.

The statement said that in the presence of the Jam...