Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the government will give priority to merit in all areas rather than succumbing to lobbying and personal influence.
Speaking at an iftar event organized by the Thakurgaon District Association at Krishibid Institute auditorium in Dhaka's Farmgate area on Friday, the minister expressed frustration over the relentless lobbying he faces daily.
"From 9 am to midnight, it is nothing but lobbying — mostly about postings and transfers," he said, adding that while some matters do require attention, making lobbying the main focus would create serious problems.
Addressing the issue of youth unemployment, Mirza Fakhrul said young people cannot find jobs simply by wandering around looking for them. "Getting a job this way is impossible. We need to create self-employment opportunities, invest, and work on small-scale entrepreneurial initiatives," he urged.
The BNP leader also reaffirmed his commitment to the development of his home district Thakurgaon, promising to establish a university, construct four-lane roads, and improve local infrastructure and living standards. He called on members of the district association to work in unity and criticized attempts to create divisions within the organization.
