Protecting democracy now our biggest responsibility: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks at a civic reception organized by Sylhet City Corporation on Tuesday afternoon at the Nagar Bhaban premises.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the democratic environment has returned to Bangladesh after years of struggle and sacrifice, and protecting democracy and giving it an institutional shape is now the biggest responsibility of all.

He said both ruling and opposition parties have a responsibility to sustain the democratic system and make Parliament effective.

The President made the remarks while addressing a civic reception hosted by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) in his honour in the afternoon. His wife Rahat Ara Begum was also present.

“We have achieved democracy. Protecting democracy is now our biggest task and responsibility,” he said.

Mirza Fakhrul said Parliament must be made effective and political differences should be resolved through dialogue.

He said people had made immense sacrifices for democracy in the past and the opportunity created through those sacrifices must not be wasted.

“Now our biggest challenge is to rebuild the country, strengthen democracy and build a healthy, beautiful and liveable Bangladesh for future generations,” the President said.

He called on people, irrespective of political affiliation, to work together in the national interest and make the most of the opportunity that has emerged after years of struggle.

Recalling his long-standing ties with Sylhet, Mirza Fakhrul said the region is one of his favourite places and that he visits whenever he gets the opportunity.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Sylhet for their warm hospitality.

The President highlighted Sylhet’s rich history, culture and heritage, saying many eminent personalities who have contributed to different fields of the country were born in the region.

He said Sylhet has made significant contributions to literature, music, culture, the War of Liberation and political movements. “The region’s distinct identity has also been enriched by the cultures of ethnic communities, tea estates and its large expatriate population.”

Referring to Sylhet’s tourism potential, Mirza Fakhrul said its hills, rivers, waterfalls, tea estates, forests and haors make it one of Bangladesh’s major tourist destinations.

Greater development of the tourism sector is possible if these resources are utilised through proper planning, he said.

Calling on Bangladeshi expatriates to invest in the country, the President said the Sylhet diaspora makes an important contribution not only to the regional economy but also to Bangladesh’s overall economy.

He said their investments should be integrated with tourism, agriculture, agro-processing, tea, fisheries, gas, information technology and small entrepreneurship.

Mirza Fakhrul also highlighted the potential for fish farming centred on Sylhet’s haors and water bodies and said there are opportunities to develop new industries by utilising the region’s natural resources.

He called for increased government, private-sector and expatriate investment in these areas.

On overseas employment, the President said the minister responsible for expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment is already working with different countries to expand labour markets. “Initiatives have also been taken to reopen some markets that had been closed,” he said, expressing hope that the sector will advance further.

Regarding Sylhet’s development, he said ministers, lawmakers and local representatives from the region are working on its problems and prospects, while efforts are underway to advance several major development projects.

Praising Bangladesh’s communal harmony, Mirza Fakhrul said people of different faiths and communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians, have long lived together in the country.

Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Labour and Employment, and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, Whip GK Gouse and Ambassador Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey spoke as special guests at the reception, with SCC Administrator Abdul Quiyum Choudhury in the chair. -UNB