Newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) from  Khulna-3 constituency Rakibul Islam Bakul -Photo: Collected

KHULNA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) - Newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) from 
Khulna-3 constituency Rakibul Islam Bakul has announced plans to establish a 
state-of-the-art industrial city in Khulna to revive the region's economy and 
tackle unemployment.

Bakul, representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emphasized that 
employment is the main challenge facing the local population. "To eliminate 
the lack of employment, there is no alternative to planned and modern 
industrialization. My main goal is to revive this neglected industrial area 
and create long-term opportunities for the youth," he said in an exclusive 
interview with BSS.

Khulna, historically known for its mills and factories, has suffered economic 
decline due to the closure of government and private jute mills, leading to 
rising unemployment. During his election campaign, Bakul promised to 
modernize urbanization, reopen closed factories, and restore the city's 
industrial heritage.

Bakul outlined his development plans, stating that a modern industrial city 
will be built on the model of an export processing zone (EPZ). A master plan 
will target the revival of Khulna's industrial areas, particularly Khalishpur 
and Daulatpur. "All the factories, including the closed jute mills, will be 
reopened and converted into profitable enterprises through modern 
technology," he added.

The MP highlighted Khulna's strategic location and the potential of Mongla 
Port to attract large-scale domestic and foreign investment. "Building an 
industrial city here will transform the economic landscape of the entire 
southwestern region, bringing work and life back to urban areas," Bakul 
continued.

He also expressed plans to upgrade Daulatpur BL College into a university and 
promised to develop Khulna into a city with modern hospitals, technical 
institutions for youth employment, and free from extortionists and 
terrorists.

Born in Khulna's Khalishpur Metropolitan Thana, Bakul, son of freedom fighter 
Sirajul Islam, completed his early education in Khulna before attending Dhaka 
University's Physics Department in 1985. Active in politics since his 
university days, Bakul held multiple leadership positions in Chhatra Dal, 
including Vice-President of the Central Parliament and Student Affairs 
Secretary of the Central Executive Committee.

In the February 12 election, Bakul was elected MP with 74,845 votes on the 
BNP symbol of the "Sheaf of Paddy", defeating Mahfuzur Rahman, who received 
66,100 votes, winning by a margin of 8,835 votes.

Bakul said he is committed to serving all constituents regardless of 
political affiliation, religion, or background. "Since my student days, I 
have believed that being good to everyone is a political victory. If I'm 
elected, I will be an MP for everyone in my constituency," he concluded.