JHALAKATHI, August 10, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its commitment to save the nearly extinct traditional handicraft 'Shital Pati' of the district. 
 
Dr Ziauddin Haider, a member of the BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council, visited Kamdevpur village in Mollarhat union of Nalchity upazila of Jhalakathi on Saturday and gave the commitment to protect the fine handicrafts, according to the official Facebook page of the BNP Media Cell.
 
For many generations, numerous families in the village have been involved in making the traditional 'Shital Pati'. Once this fine handicraft was the pride of the region's economy. But due to poverty, difficulties in accessing markets, and long-standing government neglect, this industry is now on the verge of extinction.
 
Dr Haider exchanged views with local artisans and listened to their sorrows and dreams.
 
He said although the artisans of this region have immense skills, their products have suffered due to lack of proper support and market access. He added that the deposed autocratic government did not provide any economic incentives or technical assistance for the development of this industry.
 
"BNP, under the leadership of the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is committed to changing this situation. BNP will ensure all kinds of patronage to save the traditional 'Shital Pati' handicrafts that are on the verge of extinction," he said.