Says Adviser Fouzul

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today said a significant portion of the current government's tenure has been spent undoing the "political, cultural, and economic misdeeds" of the Sheikh Hasina–led administration.

While inaugurating the newly renamed Pachdona–Danga–Ghorashal Regional Road—now dedicated to freedom fighter Naval Siraj—in Narsingdi's Palash upazila, the de facto roads and bridges minister said thousands of institutions, from schools and hospitals to even public toilets, had been named after specific individuals during the previous regime. "People themselves have removed those names. That too is a verdict of history," he added.

He said the present government is working to honour genuine freedom fighters by naming landmarks after them. "We are bringing Naval Siraj [Bir Protik Sirajuddin Ahmed] back to the forefront."

The adviser further alleged that widespread irregularities had plagued every sector under past authoritarian governments. "Thousands of roads were constructed that are practically useless. Tk 10,000 crore was spent in the locality of one former president. Yet the roads are fit for only three-wheelers," he said.

Speaking about Naval Siraj, he noted that the freedom fighter was assassinated for dissenting views. "Bangladesh is a land of many faiths and opinions. No one should be persecuted or killed for thinking differently," he said.

The programme was presided over by Mohammad Ziaul Haque, additional secretary of the Roads and Highways Department.

Freedom fighter Faruk-e-Azam, Bir Protik and adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, and M Siraj Uddin Mia, principal secretary to the chief adviser, attended as special guests.