Dhaka: State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur has asserted that the ongoing power and energy crisis in the country is not the fault of the current government but rather a legacy inherited from the previous Awami League administration. Speaking at a programme organised by the Ex-Forces Association at the Jatiya Press Club, Nur emphasized that the government, which has been in power for only six months, is now facing the consequences of the energy policies crafted during the Awami League’s tenure.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Nur stated that the government is continuously questioned by the public regarding the power and energy situation, although it did not create the present crisis. He pointed out that the volatile situation in the Middle East has added further pressure on the government. The state minister warned that the crisis could escalate if the opposition chooses confrontation over cooperation, cautioning that such actions could deepen the crisis.
Nur also remarked on the political implications of stepping away from negotiations, highlighting past mistakes that allowed the Awami League to remain in power for 17 years. He emphasized that under the leadership of a BNP-led government, Bangladesh will not submit to the influence of any other state. He cited a clear message from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, asserting that Bangladesh will not become a client state.
The state minister further alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power in 2008 was orchestrated under an ‘Indian blueprint,’ suggesting that her prolonged tenure was due to Indian support. Reflecting on historical events, Nur acknowledged the significant role of the Army in the nation’s pivotal moments, including the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, and the fall of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
In his concluding remarks, Nur urged the country’s intelligence agencies to remain impartial and not transform into partisan entities like those during the Awami League era. He stressed that their primary duty should be to serve the state’s interest.