"You have pen...you are carrying out pen terrorism," he said while speaking at a discussion organised by the ruling BNP to mark the 70th birth anniversary of its founder late president Ziaur Rahman.

Taking a swipe at newspapers, Abbas said some newspapers are behind the destruction of the country. "Some newspapers are out to assassinate character of the BNP leaders."

The minister went on: "Having seen some newspapers it appears they are acting as foreign agencies."

He accused vernacular dailies like Prothom Alo, Jugantor and Bhorer Kagoj of writing as they like.

The newspapers are misusing the freedom at the extreme, the BNP leader told his audience and reminded the press of the days when it was "gagged". "If there were only four newspapers like in AL regime, where would be the freedom?" He posed a question.