Shafiqur Promises Bogura city status, Second Jamuna bridge, Stadium revival

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to upgrade Bogura to a city corporation, build a long-demanded second Jamuna bridge, and revive the Shaheed Chandu Stadium if his party comes to power.

Speaking at an election rally at Altafunnesa Field in Bogura on Friday, Shafiqur described the district as the heart of northern Bangladesh and outlined his party’s development and reform agenda.

He said the proposed second Jamuna bridge and the revival of the stadium would benefit residents of both Bogura and neighboring Gaibandha. The Shaheed Chandu Stadium, he added, would be restored to host international matches after years of neglect caused by political unrest.

Addressing economic issues, Shafiqur alleged that nearly Tk28 lakh crore had been embezzled over the past 15 and a half years. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would work to recover the funds and redirect them toward public development.

On rising prices, he blamed extortion, saying it deprives farmers of fair prices while forcing consumers to pay more. He pledged to take firm action against such practices.

On women’s empowerment, Shafiqur said ensuring women’s dignity and safety is the responsibility of the state and stressed that Islam does not prevent women from working.

Addressing young people, he said Jamaat would focus on creating direct employment opportunities rather than offering handouts, allowing youth to earn a living with dignity.

He also promised that development would be funded through public resources, not personal wealth, and pledged to fight corruption, extortion, and abuse of power to ensure transparency in governance.

“If Jamaat-e-Islami is given the responsibility to govern, Bogura will emerge as a model city in northern Bangladesh,” he said.