Dhaka: BNP Standing Committee member and former Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today emphasized the necessity of establishing a democratic, free, and fair environment in Bangladesh. He stated that without such an environment, the situation would be unpleasant for everyone. Speaking at the 30-year anniversary event of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) held at BRAC Inn in Mohakhali, Khasru highlighted the psychological shift among the populace, who now increasingly desire a free and fair society. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Khasru stressed the importance of continuous reform through public and political consensus, conducted democratically. He argued that reforms should undergo a correction and filtration process to ensure sustainability and acceptance by the Bangladeshi people. He also underscored the need for continuous accountability, noting that democracy involves more than just voting; it requires the daily accountability of an elected government, which he claimed has been lacking f or the past 15 years. Khasru criticized the removal of the caretaker government system, attributing it to Sheikh Hasina's actions, despite its introduction by political parties. He linked the erosion of citizens' rights, such as the right to vote, to other lost freedoms and expressed concern over the culture of intolerance resulting from manipulated elections. Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star, echoed these concerns, noting that the past 15 years have seen a decline in freedom of thought and tolerance, with the suppression of media freedom contributing to a lack of truthful communication with the government. He praised CPD's consistent advocacy for truth and its strong relationship with the media. Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman of CPD, commended the organization's role as a civil society voice, particularly in the absence of effective parliamentary and participatory elections. Professor Rounaq Jahan highlighted CPD's influence across various sectors, with many of its recommendations adopted by the g overnment. Barrister Nihad Kabir praised CPD's financial sector contributions and urged further support for small and medium enterprises. Taslima Akter, President of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, valued CPD's advocacy for workers' rights and stressed the need for more research on labor class development. The event, moderated by CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun, was divided into three sessions, focusing on CPD's impact and future direction.
