News Flash
SYLHET, May 31, 2026 (BSS) – Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, MP, today said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had brought about “massive and positive changes” to the country’s governance and economy within a very short time after assuming state responsibility.
“His sense of duty and patriotism were unparalleled. Under his visionary leadership, the country was rebuilt from ravages,” he said while addressing as chief guest a discussion meeting marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam.
The programme, organised by Sylhet city unit of BNP as part of the concluding event of a two-day observance, was held at Shaheed Suleman Hall in Sylhet city this afternoon.
The minister said BNP leaders and activists had waged a prolonged 17-year struggle to free the country from autocratic rule and restore normalcy.
“You are witnessing the leadership qualities of Prime Minister and statesman Tarique Rahman over the past three months. One of the key characteristics of his leadership is moderation, discipline and hard work,” he said.
Muktadir said the incumbent Prime Minister’s government lunch budget was only Tk 100, equally allocated for all cabinet members, while in the past, the lunch bill of some prime ministers alone reportedly amounted to Tk 150,000.
“Through moderation and honesty like a guardian, he has earned the people’s trust,” the minister added.
Addressing party leaders and activists, he urged them to fulfill the promises made to people during the election “at any cost”.
Highlighting development plans for Sylhet, the minister said a 250-bed hospital in the city would soon be fully operational, while a 12-bed state-of-the-art hospital under Sylhet Medical University was also being planned.
He further said the road from Sylhet airport to Ambarkhana would be upgraded into a four-lane to improve communication, while a new bypass road from Saheber Bazar to Tilagarh would be constructed to keep heavy cargo vehicles outside the city.
He said authorities concerned had already been instructed to examine the feasibility of building link roads surrounding the city.
Presided over by acting president of Sylhet metropolitan BNP Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodhi and moderated by general secretary Md Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, the meeting was also addressed by BNP National Executive Committee Joint Small Credit Affairs Secretary and freedom fighter Abdur Razzaq as the keynote speaker.
Among special guests were Sylhet-3 lawmaker M.A. Malek, BNP National Executive Committee Joint Organising Secretary Miftah Siddiqui, former metropolitan BNP convener Abdul Qayyum Jalali Panki and former general secretary Badruzzaman Selim.
A large number of leaders and activists of metropolitan BNP and its associate bodies attended the programme.
