BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday expressed strong reservations regarding the government's decision in principle to provide a humanitarian corridor to Myanmar's conflict-ridden Rakhine state.

Criticising the government's handling of the issue, he said this decision is linked to the country's independence and sovereignty and the future peace and stability of this region.

"The decision regarding the humanitarian passage for communication with the Arakan people should have been taken in consultation with all political parties.

"We don't want to turn into another Gaza. We don't want to see war anymore. We are already struggling with the Rohingya issue."

Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a rally in Khagrabari Sheikh Bazar in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila yesterday as part of a public outreach campaign.

The context for the proposed corridor dates back to the first half of this year, when the United Nations expressed fears of a potential famine in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Consequently, the UN requested that Bangladesh facilitate a corridor for delivering humanitarian assistance to the region, which has been severely affected by civil war.

Bangladesh's policy decision to provide a corridor for Myanmar's civilian population was announced yesterday afternoon by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

He stated that the corridor would be under the supervision of the UN and subject to certain conditions.