Swapan calls for unity of 2.2b SAARC citizens, not just 140m

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Zahir Uddin Swapan, on Saturday called for efforts to unite nearly 2.2 billion people living in the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

 

He urged for efforts to unite not only 140 million or 20 million people, but the nearly 2.2 billion people in SAARC member countries.

Swapan also remarked that those who do not support such broader regional unity should be viewed with suspicion.

 

The minister made these comments while addressing a discussion titled “Implementation of July Charter in Rebuilding the Nation” as the chief guest.

The event was held at the Muktijoddha Auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka and was organized by the group “Amra Bangladeshi”.

 

Highlighting that the current parliament is working for the people, Swapan said Bangladesh must identify its true friends and long-term development partners. He noted that “Amra Bangladeshi” was established with this objective and announced that its formal journey may begin on August 5, 2026, marking the anniversary of the mass uprising.

 

Speaking as the keynote discussant, economist Mahbub Ullah said that the motives and mission of those promoting the concept of an “Undivided India” deserve careful scrutiny.

He, however, emphasized that national unity remains the country’s greatest strength and urged all to act responsibly and refrain from making offensive remarks.

 

In his presidential address, Syed Ehsanul Huda of “Amra Bangladeshi,” said the organization was founded on the principle of placing Bangladesh first. He noted that its ideological foundation is the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. Huda also criticized incidents of Bangladeshi citizens being killed along the Indian border and expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to implementing the July Charter.

 

Among others, BNP Executive Committee member Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah, BNP leaders Rashed Khan and Mominul Amin, addressed the event. The event was moderated by Tamiz Uddin Titu.