News Flash
DHAKA, July 18, 2026 (BSS)- Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly today said the government is working to strengthen information flow from the grassroots by decentralizing and empowering district information officers, enabling journalists and public access to information easily.
“District information officers are being further empowered and made more active so that journalists at district level can easily obtain information on any contemporary issue,” he said.
The PM’s press secretary made the remarks while addressing a press conference organised by Prime Minister’s Press Wing at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at Tejgaon this afternoon marking completion of five months of the government.
Referring to the implementation of the government's 31-point election manifesto and the July National Charter, the Press Secretary said, "People can know about the government's initiatives and their implementation through the media."
Criticizing the ‘so-called’ development campaign of the previous government, he said, “We heard many grand stories about development in the past. But when the current Prime Minister visited different districts of the country, the real picture of people's problems and stories of underdevelopment came to light.”
Citing the health sector as an example, Saleh Shibly said, “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman introduced the 30-bed Upazila Health Complex system in the country. Later, during the tenure of Begum Khaleda Zia, it was upgraded to 50 beds. Now Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced to upgrade all hospitals in the country's 492 upazilas to 101-bed.
Saleh Shibly said, “During the previous fascist regime, alongside the country's economic and political crises, there was a serious erosion of religious, social and family values, which overshadowed all other achievements.
“To overcome this situation, the Prime Minister is placing the highest emphasis not only on improving people's living standard but also on restoring family and social values,” he added.
He further said, “The Prime Minister is bringing qualitative political change by setting examples through his actions not merely through words.
“Recently, by picking up plastic bottles from the ground himself at a children's programme at the Army Stadium and by stressing on proper waste management in his concluding budget speech in Parliament, the premier has sent a unique message to the country's citizens,” added the press secretary.
Saleh Shibly also said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought cooperation of the administration, journalists and people from all walks of life to build a prosperous Bangladesh.
Referring to the Prime Minister's citation of the poem in the parliament 'Sokale Uthiya Ami Mone Mone Boli’, he said it essentially conveys the message of building a Bangladesh founded on values.
"If we embrace this message, we will be able to move ourselves towards success," the press secretary added.
Noting that the current government has completely moved away from the past culture of "glorifying political leaders" in parliamentary proceedings and press conferences, Saleh Shibly said, "There is no longer any room for sycophancy. Instead, a culture of meaningful work is being established.
The press secretary said the Prime Minister is working sincerely to conserve wildlife and biodiversity, which were neglected during the previous regimes.
Describing the FY2026–27 budget as one of the government's major achievements, he termed it a "people-friendly budget."
"Unlike previous years, prices of commodities did not increase after the budget announcement. In particular, the costs of treatment for cancer, kidney dialysis and several other critical illnesses have been reduced, while prices of essential commodities have been kept within the reach of ordinary people," he said.
Shibly called upon media workers to highlight these positive social issues more prominently before the public to help build a beautiful, prosperous and value-based society.
PMO Spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin also addressed the press conference conducted by Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.
Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, Speech Writer Mahfuzur Rahman, deputy press secretaries Md Suzauddhowla (Sujon Mahmud) and Shahadat Hossain Shadhin, and assistant press secretaries Asrofa Emdad, KM Nazmul Haque and Gazi Shahriar Pamy were present at the press conference.
The BNP government led by Tarique Rahman assumed office on February 17 following landslide victory in the February 12 elections. The press conference was organized, marking the completion of the government's first five months in office.
