State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said that the energy sector saw the highest corruption in Bangladesh over the past 17 years, claiming thousands of crores of taka were siphoned abroad through irregularities in electricity and gas. She alleged that many of those involved fled the country along with party leaders and are now living abroad on the smuggled funds while ordinary citizens continue to face an energy crisis at home.
She made the remarks as chief guest at a public meeting organised by local BNP leaders in Saltha on Tuesday with marking the party's 48th founding anniversary. She said the current energy crisis originated under the Awami League government and that the subsequent interim administration, in office for about a year and a half, failed to take effective action to resolve it.
Shama Obaed said BNP has historically stood by the people whenever the country's independence, sovereignty or democracy faced threats, with party leaders and activists making major sacrifices for these causes. She credited martyred President Ziaur Rahman with strengthening agriculture, industry and the economy, and praised Begum Khaleda Zia's role in leading the movement against autocratic rule in the 1980s.
Referring to recent elections, she said a fair vote in February allowed citizens to choose freely, resulting in BNP winning by a two-thirds majority and forming the government.
She noted that while the government works to revive the economy, Bangladesh faces financial strain from the ongoing Middle East conflict, affecting expatriate workers alongside the continuing energy crisis. She expressed confidence that unity, patience and honest effort would resolve these challenges.
The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony followed by the release of pigeons and balloons symbolising peace.
