Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday proposed in Parliament the formation of a 10-member joint committee, seeking five names from the opposition to work together on finding ‘rational solutions’ to the country’s ongoing energy crisis in the national interest. The proposed body will be headed by Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and include five members each from the treasury and opposition benches.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister addressed the House, stating, “We have decided to form a five-member committee from our side. I request the Leader of the Opposition to provide five names so that the 10-member committee can sit together and discuss the issues.” He emphasized that the government will seriously consider any recommendations made by the committee and will take effective steps to implement them if they are found to be feasible.
The Prime Minister referenced a proposal raised by the Opposition Leader a day earlier, highlighting the mutual agreement to work collaboratively in solving the country’s ongoing situation, which he described as a global problem affecting many countries. The Leader of the House acknowledged the Opposition Leader’s concerns and proposals, expressing readiness for discussions in the country’s interest.
From the government side, the proposed members include Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, and MPs ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan (Laxmipur-4), Moinul Islam Khan (Manikganj-2), and Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu (Shariatpur-3).
In response, Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman welcomed the initiative and thanked the Prime Minister for considering the matter positively. He assured that they would soon nominate their five representatives, expressing hope that Parliament would become the center for resolving national issues, marking a new beginning for the House.
As Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad inquired about the chairman of the proposed committee, Tarique Rahman nominated the energy minister. The Speaker expressed hope for a swift nomination process from the opposition, noting the current parliament session is set to go into recess by the end of the month. He remarked that this move has generated optimism among the public, adding that cooperation between the government and opposition can effectively address national challenges.