Staff Reporter:
The government will take steps to renew the Ganga Water Treaty ahead of its expiry in December, prior-itizing Bangladesh’s national interest.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon yesterday said the government would con-tinue strong diplomatic efforts, in coordination with all stakeholders, to ensure Bangladesh’s rightful share of trans-boundary river waters through existing international frameworks and protocols.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief speaker at a discussion marking Maulana Ab-dul Hamid Khan Bhashani’s historic Farakka Long March Day, organized by the “Bhashani Janashakti Party” at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital yesterday afternoon.
Recalling Bhashani’s visionary leadership, he said that although no effective international water-sharing mechanism existed at the time, but the veteran leader had anticipated the harshness of the emerging wa-ter crisis.
He added that Bhashani’s politics was deeply rooted in public welfare and unity, and that he worked to mobilise people beyond divisions.
BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the program as the chief guest.
Leaders from various political parties and organizations, including Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Ganoforum President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, JSD General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, former Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jasim Uddin Ahmed, former minister and BNP leader Noor Mohammad Khan and Convenor of Bangladesh Mukti-joddha Sangsad Central Command Council Nayem Jahangir also spoke at the discussion.
Presided over by Bhashani Janashakti Party Chairman and freedom fighter Rafiqul Islam Bablu and moderated by party Secretary General Dr. Abu Yusuf Selim, the event saw speakers from various politi-cal and social organizations reaffirm their stance against unilateral water control and in support of Mau-lana Bhashani’s ideals.
