Dhaka: Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing merit over lobbying in recruitment processes across all sectors. Speaking at an iftar event organized by the Thakurgaon District Association at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Farmgate, Fakhrul addressed the challenges faced by job seekers who rely on personal connections rather than their qualifications.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Fakhrul highlighted the difficulties faced by young people who move from place to place seeking jobs through lobbying. He stressed the importance of self-employment, investment, and small initiatives as sustainable alternatives to lobbying for jobs. Fakhrul underscored the need to create opportunities for self-employment and encouraged the youth to focus on investing and starting small initiatives.
Fakhrul also pointed out the prevalent practice of seeking job recommendations through personal networks, urging a shift towards merit-based evaluations. He shared his own experiences of dealing with numerous requests for recommendations, noting that his days are often consumed by lobbying activities related to job postings and other matters.
While acknowledging that some requests might be necessary, Fakhrul warned that prioritizing them could lead to systemic problems. He also shared his commitment to fulfilling various developmental promises for his home district of Thakurgaon, including the establishment of a university, construction of a four-lane road, and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing the living standards of local residents.
Criticizing the formation of divisions under the guise of associations, Fakhrul called for unity and collective efforts to achieve common goals. The event was attended by members of the Thakurgaon District Association, along with political and social leaders from various sectors.