Sylhet: The office of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP was inaugurated at Topkhana in the city today. Commerce, Industries and Jute and Textiles Minister and Sylhet-1 lawmaker Khandakar Abdul Muktadir led the ceremony as the chief guest.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain chaired the programme, with its General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury conducting the event. Special guests included BNP National Executive Committee Assistant Organising Secretary and Sylhet WASA Chairman Miftah Siddiqui, along with central BNP member and District Council Chairman Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim.
During the event, the commerce minister highlighted the founding of BNP under Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and the party’s longstanding mandate from the public in free, fair, and neutral elections. He praised Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia and current party chief Tarique Rahman for advancing the nationalist forces in the face of challenges, while safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty.
The minister addressed Bangladesh’s dependence on imported raw materials for industrial production, noting that despite achieving self-sufficiency in rice and some agricultural products, the country imports 6-7 million tonnes of wheat and various consumer goods annually. He acknowledged the persistent trade deficit in international bilateral trade but emphasized ongoing efforts to expand exports and attract new investments, including the establishment of a new BSCIC industrial estate in Sylhet.
On party organisation, Muktadir explained that assigning different responsibilities to leaders is part of specific plans and strategies aimed at reviewing the party’s strength and strategies from diverse perspectives, and infusing new momentum. He stressed that BNP leaders and activists must fulfill their responsibilities and meet public expectations.
The inauguration ceremony featured the hoisting of national and party flags, ribbon-cutting, and a special prayer for the welfare of the country, its people, and the party. A large gathering of leaders and activists from the district and metropolitan BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations attended the event.