Jamaat says govt failed in 12 key areas in first 6 months

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday accused the BNP-led government of failing to perform in 12 key areas during its first six months in office, including law and order, energy security, commodity prices, banking and administrative neutrality.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar made the allegations at a press conference at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, where the party presented its assessment of the government’s achievements and shortcomings during its first six months in office.

“The government has failed on issues including the referendum verdict, July Charter, law and order, energy security, commodity prices and administrative neutrality,” Porwar said.

Porwar described the government’s handling of the referendum verdict as its first major failure. He alleged that the country was being pushed towards conflict and that the aspirations of the July Mass Uprising were at risk.

On the energy crisis, Porwar said the government had failed to address shortages of gas and electricity.

He said daily gas demand was around 3,800 million cubic feet, while domestic production and imports supplied only 2,700-2,800 million cubic feet, leaving a shortfall of about 1,000 million cubic feet.

He said the shortage was affecting industries, power plants, CNG stations and other consumers.

Porwar also alleged that government intervention in Islami Bank had contributed to instability in the banking sector.

He also criticised the government for its performance in education, agriculture, particularly the fertiliser crisis, the judiciary and healthcare. He alleged that the government had allowed ordinances related to enforced disappearances and human rights to lapse.

However, Porwar praised the government for the country’s foreign exchange reserve situation and for accepting an opposition proposal to form a special parliamentary committee to address the energy crisis.

Jamaat leaders AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Abul Hasnat Mohammad Abdul Halim, Matiur Rahman Akanda and Shafiqul Islam Masud, among others, were present at the press conference.