Photo: BSS

BOGURA, July 25, 2026 (BSS)- Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood today said government is pledged-bound to implement a special plan for balanced and coordinated development to integrate the northern region with mainstream economy.

“The northern region lagged behind during the fascist regime. The current government is committed to make a balance development and integrate the northern region with mainstream economy,” he told a seminar titled "Development Perspective of Five Northern Districts: Problems, Prospects and the Way Forward" at a convention hall in the city.
 
Iqbal said the government is making stride to pull the country out of the fragile economy inherited from the Awami League (now banned) era.

Highlighting development programmes, Iqbal said the government has undertaken an initiative to generate an additional 10,000 megawatts of electricity over the next five years to address the country's power shortage.

He said Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971 began as a struggle against inequality. However, after coming to power following independence, the Awami League monopolized wealth and created even greater inequality, he added.

He said the AL is the only political party that distorted history by creating its own version of historical events. 

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari also spoke as the special guests at the event organized by Bogura History Study and Research Welfare Organization.

In his speech, Shahe Alam said a certain group is spreading misinformation because corruption and money laundering have been curbed and development has accelerated under the current government. 

He said the government is committed to the planned development of the five northern districts, which had been neglected for the past 20 years.

Abdul Bari said the government is giving priority to eliminating the long-standing regional deprivation and inequality faced by people in the northern region and ensuring balanced development across the country.

Distinguished personality Dr CM Idris chaired the event while Member of Parliament from Gaibandha-1 seat Majedur Rahman also spoke. 

Majedur strongly demanded the immediate establishment of Bogura Division to promote administrative decentralization and improve public service delivery.

Members of Parliament Rezaul Karim Badsha (Bogura-6), Abdul Muhit Talukder (Bogura-3), Ikramul Bari Tipu (Naogaon-4), Zahidul Islam Dhalu (Naogaon-5), Sheikh Md. Rezaul Islam (Naogaon-6), Md. Abdul Karim (Gaibandha-2), Abul Kawser Nazrul Islam (Gaibandha-3), Abdul Wares (Gaibandha-5), Fazlur Rahman Sayeed (Joypurhat-1), Ainul Haque (Sirajganj-3), Reserved Seat MP Suraiya Zerin Roni, Bogura City Corporation Administrator M.R. Islam Swadhin, Bogura Zila Parishad Administrator A.K.M. Ahsanul Haque Tayeb Zakir, Joypurhat Zila Parishad Administrator Masud Rana Pradhan, TMSS Executive Director Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, and around 25 professors and researchers from various universities and research institutions, attended the event.

Dr. Matiur Rahman presented the keynote paper while welcome address was delivered by Dr. Belal Hossain, Principal of Government Mujibur Rahman Bhandari Women's College.

The event was moderated by the organization's General Secretary and journalist Syed Fazle Rabbi Dollar.