Desk Report:
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament, has pledged to play an effective role in resolving issues facing the textile sector for the sake of the national economy. He stated that opposing every government action is not the essence of political culture; rather, the opposition will cooperate with the government’s positive initiatives taken in the public interest while offering constructive criticism and protest against decisions that run counter to the public good.
He made these remarks on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) during an exchange of views with leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the Leader of the Opposition’s official residence at 29 Minto Road in the capital.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on incentives for the textile sector, gas and electricity supplies, post-LDC graduation challenges, tax and tariff hikes, and various policy-related complexities.
Speaking at a press briefing following the meeting, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar noted that BTMA leaders had highlighted the existing problems and challenges within their sector. He added that the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, listened to their concerns attentively and assured them that he would raise relevant issues in the National Parliament and discuss them with the government in the interest of the national economy.
He emphasized the critical importance of ensuring necessary raw materials for export-oriented industries, preserving the capacity of the domestic primary textile industry, increasing local value addition, protecting employment, saving and conserving foreign currency, and safeguarding government revenue.
At the same time, emphasis was placed on preventing the misuse of bonded warehouse facilities and curbing illegal imports. The Leader of the Opposition stressed the need to sustainably strengthen the country’s primary textile industry through integrated and balanced policies.
Mia Golam Parwar remarked that the industrial and manufacturing sectors are among the key driving forces of Bangladesh’s economy, noting the close relationship between the textile sector and the ready-made garment industry. Consequently, a coordinated effort involving the government, the opposition, and relevant stakeholders is required to resolve the sector’s legitimate issues.
Speaking at a press briefing, BTMA Vice President Shafiqul Islam Sarkar stated that the country’s textile sector currently holds investments worth approximately US$32 billion. This sector plays a crucial role as a backward linkage for Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry.
He noted that discussions with the government regarding various issues in the textile sector have been ongoing for a long time. Multiple meetings have been held with relevant government quarters, including the Prime Minister, and some problems have already been resolved; discussions on other matters are continuing.
He informed that the meetings specifically addressed issues such as incentives, gas and electricity supply, challenges following LDC graduation, tax hikes, and various policy-related complexities.
He mentioned that although the gas and electricity supply situation has improved somewhat, several factories are still facing difficulties. Additionally, discussions with the government are underway regarding related issues such as energy bonds and the misuse of yarn.
Mia Golam Parwar stated that the opposition party’s responsibility is not merely to criticize the government. It is also the opposition’s duty to cooperate with the government on beneficial initiatives taken in the public interest and to highlight errors or shortcomings in decisions that run counter to the public interest.
He added that raising issues of national importance regarding industry and trade in Parliament and engaging in discussions with the government when necessary are also part of the opposition’s responsibilities.
Responding to questions from journalists regarding the departure from the long-standing tradition of the Leader of the Opposition serving as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of ‘Batexpo’—an event related to the textile and garment sectors—scheduled for November 18, Mia Golam Parwar noted the established convention where the Prime Minister attends the opening ceremony and the Leader of the Opposition attends the closing ceremony of major industrial and trade fairs as the chief guest.
He remarked that this is not merely a matter of formality; it also involves democratic political culture and the mutual respect accorded to state institutions. Noting the deviation from this norm this time, he stated that Jamaat has drawn the attention of the relevant authorities to the matter.
However, the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. He also clarified that Shafiqur Rahman had neither demanded nor requested to be the chief guest at any event.
Miya Golam Parwar stated that vital sectors of the country’s economy should not be confined within the narrow scope of partisan politics. He emphasized the need for coordination between the state and the business and industrial communities.
Attendees at the meeting included BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell, Vice President Shafiqul Islam Sarkar, Director Md. Shahid Alam, former Vice President Hossain Mehmud, Director Engineer Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed, former Director Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Secretary General Brigadier General Md. Zakir Hossain (Retd.), Joint Secretary General Muhammad Ziaur Rahman, Deputy Secretary General Ziaul Hasan Chowdhury, and the President’s PS Arif Raihan Robin.
Representatives from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami included Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer; Central Executive Council member Mobarak Hossain; Central Executive Council member and Dhaka Metropolitan South Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul MP; Central Executive Council member and Dhaka Metropolitan North Amir Md. Selim Uddin; and Maisha Group Managing Director Mozammel Haque Bhuiyan, among others.
Following the meeting, BTMA leaders thanked the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, and the leaders of Jamaat. They expressed hope that, through the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, the existing problems facing the textile sector would be resolved gradually, further strengthening the country’s textile and ready-made garment industries.
