Jamaat ameer pledges Teesta Master Plan implementation, Burimari Land Port modernisation

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to implement the Teesta Master Plan and modernise the Burimari Land Port if the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance comes to power, aiming to address longstanding hardships in the country's northern region.

"We will bring life back to the Teesta. It will no longer be a desert. It will become the centre of the northern economy," he made the remarks at an election rally held at the Teesta Barrage helipad today (4 February)

The rally was jointly organised by the Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari district units of Jamaat.

"The plan will include hydropower generation and measures to prevent river erosion to protect thousands of families," he added.

Describing the Teesta River as "an ocean of suffering" for the people of the north, Shafiqur Rahman said the river would be revived and turned into the economic lifeline of the region.

The Jamaat chief also promised to modernise the Burimari Land Port and construct a four-lane highway from Burimari through Lalmonirhat to Rangpur.

Issuing a strong warning against corruption, Shafiqur said those who "laundered Tk28 lakh crore abroad" would be brought to justice.

Addressing government officials and employees, he argued that inadequate pay forces corruption. "If the state does not provide a dignified salary, it pushes its employees towards corruption. If we come to power, we will ensure state employees are treated with dignity so they do not have to resort to unethical practices," he said.

On religious harmony, Shafiqur said Jamaat rejects divisions based on majority and minority identities. "We do not want to hear the words majority and minority anymore. People of all religions in this country will enjoy equal rights."

At the rally, he introduced Jamaat candidates for seven parliamentary constituencies in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat and urged voters to cast a "Yes" vote in the referendum.