Desk Report:
Md. Ismail Zabiullah, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Public Administration (holding the rank of Minister) and a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee, has stated that the current BNP government is committed to maintaining religious harmony and establishing a merit-based administration.
On Tuesday (October 21, 2026), the Advisor made these remarks while visiting various *puja mandaps* (worship venues) in the Lakshmipur Sadar, Kamalnagar, and Ramgati upazilas. He extended his greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of the Sharadiya Durga Utsav (Durga Puja). Earlier that day, he held an exchange meeting with leaders from the BNP—including its district, municipal, and upazila units—as well as its affiliated and associate organizations.
The Advisor stated that merit and competence are being prioritized in the transfer, posting, promotion, and recruitment processes within the public administration. “Leaving behind the divisions and partisan considerations of the past, we aim to build a merit-based Bangladesh,” he said. “No one will be deprived of a position or subjected to discrimination based on their religious identity, nor will anyone receive preferential treatment due to their religion.”
He further noted that, in accordance with the government’s 2026 election manifesto, monthly honorariums and festival allowances are being provided not only to imams, muezzins, and *khadims* (caretakers) of mosques, but also to priests, *sebayats* (temple attendants), heads of religious institutions, and clergy serving in Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian places of worship. Within the next four years, all mosques, temples, pagodas, and churches will be brought under this program.
During his visits, the Advisor toured several *puja mandaps*, including the Sri Sri Shyamsundar Jiu Akhra, Sri Sri Anandamayi Kali Bari, Rakshakali Bari, Manasa Bari Durga Puja Mandap, Bijoy Swarani Trinayani Puja Mandap, and the Sri Sri Thakur Ram Chandra Deb Seba Mandir in Bhabaniganj—all located within Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila. Additionally, he visited the Sri Sri Ramthakurangan Sarbajanin Durga Puja Mandap and the Sri Sri Burakarta Ashram Sarbajanin Durga Puja Mandap in Ramgati Upazila, as well as the Sri Sri Rakshakali Mandir and the Sri Sri Harinarayan Sebashram in Kamalnagar Upazila, emphasizing the importance of maintaining religious harmony.
After visiting his mother’s grave in Kamalnagar, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Public Administration addressed a local gathering. He remarked that in a democratic state, criticism and differences of opinion are natural—indeed, they are the beauty of democracy. However, when it comes to sovereignty and broader national interests, we must all remain united, regardless of political affiliation, ideology, or religion. Ultimately, we must remember that this country belongs to us; its sovereignty and territory are ours. The current vision and core political philosophy of our party is: “Bangladesh first, and a Bangladesh for all.”
Subsequently, the Advisor on Public Administration inspected the proposed site for a Technical Training Center (TTC) in Char Sita Mouza, Ramgati Upazila—a project with an estimated cost of 75 crore BDT. During the visit, he assessed the proposed land, accessibility, and overall infrastructural feasibility. He noted that the TTC project would play a vital role in equipping local youth with technical skills, preparing them for employment both domestically and abroad. He provided necessary directives to ensure that construction is completed within the stipulated timeframe, while maintaining transparency and high quality. The project director from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, along with the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO), were present during the visit.
Earlier, while distributing medical supplies at the Hazirhat Union Health and Family Welfare Center in Kamalnagar Upazila, the Advisor stated that the government has begun working toward the goal—outlined in the BNP’s election manifesto—of building a “Bangladesh with primary healthcare and good health for all.” He added that, over the next few years, the budgetary allocation for the health sector will be gradually increased to 5 percent of the GDP. This will ensure that people in remote areas can easily access quality medical care, sparing them the need to travel to cities for primary treatment.
He noted that the late President Ziaur Rahman initiated healthcare services at the upazila level by establishing 30-bed hospitals. Subsequently, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia upgraded these upazila health complexes to 50-bed facilities. Continuing this legacy, it has now been announced—under the leadership of Mr. Tarique Rahman—that these upazila health complexes will be expanded to 150-bed facilities, and effective measures are being taken to implement this.
During his visit, the Advisor planted trees at the Lakshmipur District Circuit House, as well as on the premises of the offices of the Upazila Executive Officers (UEOs) for Kamalnagar and Ramgati.
Present during the visit to the Puja Mandap and the accompanying event were the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Lakshmipur; the Superintendent of Police; Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy, Vice-President of the Bangladesh Football Federation; Advocate Hasibur Rahman, Joint Convener of the District BNP; Rezaul Karim Liton, President of the Lakshmipur Municipal BNP; Hasanuzzaman Chowdhury Mintu, former Mayor of Lakshmipur Municipality; Md. Nurul Islam, former DGM of Bangladesh Bank; Md. Farhad Hossain, a former leader of the central Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD); Mir Solaiman, Assistant Private Secretary to the Adviser for Public Administration and a former JCD leader; Md. Kamal Uddin Rashed, a leader of the Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP and President of the district BSCIC; Nurul Huda Chowdhury, President of the Kamalnagar Upazila BNP, and its General Secretary, M. Didar Hossain; Salauddin Mithu, Principal of Alexander Government College; Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, Kamalnagar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer; Iktarul Islam, Upazila Agriculture Officer; Dr. Jamal Uddin, President of the Ramgati Upazila BNP, and its General Secretary, Siraj Uddin; Sahed Ali Patu, President of the Ramgati Municipal BNP; Sajjad Hossain Saju, President of the Kamalnagar Upazila JCD; Nahidul Islam Prince, an official from the Ministry of Labour; Upazila BNP leader Yusuf Mia; the Upazila Executive Officers (UNOs) of Lakshmipur Sadar, Kamalnagar, and Ramgati; various leaders from the district, municipal, and upazila-level BNP and its affiliated organizations; representatives of the Puja Celebration Committee; and members of the electronic and print media.
