Dhaka: Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb has rejected allegations linking him to the questioning of Online Editor of the Daily Bhorer Kagoj, Mizanur Rahman Sohel, by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. He described the accusations as entirely baseless and motivated, according to a PID handout issued here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DB team took journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel to its office last night for questioning, as confirmed by the handout. Following the incident, several social media posts and online news portals attempted to connect Taiyeb to the matter in relation to the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. The matter of misinformation came to the attention of the ministry concerned.
Commenting on the issue, Taiyeb stated, 'We are implementing NEIR purely in the interest of maintaining state discipline and security." He further mentioned that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has already held meetings with aggrieved parties to address concerns regarding the control of illegal handsets. Despite these efforts, some online news portals deliberately used Facebook posts to place blame on him.
Addressing those responsible for the misinformation, Taiyeb remarked, 'This is undesirable. Law enforcement agencies perform their duties in their own way. There is no scope for my involvement in this matter. Neither the journalist concerned nor his family has made any complaint against me.' He added that a vested interest group, disappointed after failing to obtain personal benefits from him, is spreading such propaganda.
It was learned that after questioning, the journalist was safely dropped off at his residence. Taiyeb further clarified that he has no personal or professional connection with journalist Mizanur Rahman. He emphasized that this type of propaganda undermines freedom of expression and believed such false information misleads the public. He hoped that no one will be misguided by such writings in the future.