Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has announced that Dinajpur will be upgraded to a city corporation if his party gets the opportunity to form the government.
He made the statement while addressing an election rally organised by the Jamaat-led 10-Party Unity Alliance at Gore Shahid Eidgah Maidan in Dinajpur on Friday (January 23), following Jummah prayers.
“Many large districts across the country have been upgraded to city corporations. Dinajpur has not. Why should this district face discrimination?” Shafiqur said. “If Jamaat-e-Islami forms the government with your support, we will ensure that Dinajpur becomes a city corporation, In Sha Allah.”
He said the upgrade would bring planned urban development, improved civic services, and greater administrative capacity to the district.
Calling Dinajpur one of the country’s most important agricultural regions, Shafiqur described it as Bangladesh’s “granary,” noting that the greater Dinajpur region supplies nearly one-third of the nation’s food.
“Despite feeding the country for generations, Dinajpur has remained neglected,” he said.
Shafiqur also outlined plans to modernise agriculture in northern Bangladesh. He said Jamaat wants to make North Bengal the capital of the country’s agro-industry by introducing modern farming technology, improving logistics, and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
“The old methods of agriculture will be replaced. We will build modern storage facilities, cold storage units, and agro-processing industries so farmers no longer have to sell their produce at unfair prices,” he said.
Highlighting the region’s mango and lychee production, Shafiqur said food processing industries would be established to produce juice and other value-added products for export. This, he added, would create large employment opportunities for local youth and reduce the role of middlemen.
Addressing concerns about women’s rights, the Jamaat chief rejected claims that women would be restricted if Jamaat comes to power. Describing women as the “crown of the nation,” he pledged to ensure their safety and dignity at home, on the streets, and in the workplace.
“There is propaganda that Jamaat will confine women to their homes. This is false,” he said. “Women will participate in nation-building with full dignity, and the state will ensure their security.”
Recalling the role of women in the July Uprising, Shafiqur said their courage was unforgettable and instrumental in resisting oppression. He also cited recent student union elections at public universities, claiming that female students showed trust in Jamaat’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.
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