DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday announced the formation of a 10-member joint committee of the ruling and opposition parties to recommend solutions to the country’s ongoing energy crisis. He named Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud to chair the panel and identified five members from the ruling side, and requested the opposition to nominate five members of its own.
The prime minister announced the committee during an unscheduled discussion in Parliament.
The decision followed a proposal from Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman a day earlier, on Wednesday, on the energy crisis, Tarique said.
“We have all agreed in our discussions, or come to a conclusion, that this is a global problem, and the heat of this problem has spread across the world,” the prime minister said. “The honorable opposition leader has expressed Bangladesh’s concern in his remarks and made a proposal. They have some suggestions. The ruling party and the opposition can work together on these issues.”
The prime minister said the BNP was always ready for any discussion with anyone in the interest of the country and its people. “Against that backdrop, we have made a decision and formed a five-member committee from our side. I will request the opposition leader and the opposition party — if they also give the names of five people, then these 10 people can sit and discuss these issues.”
“If there is any advice, it will come to the government through this committee, and if it is realistic, we will certainly take steps to implement it,” he said.
Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku will chair the committee. The other four members are State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit, A.B.M. Ashraf Uddin (Nijan), Moinul Islam Khan, and Mia Nuruddin Ahammed Apu.
The prime minister, also the leader of the House, said, “I will request the opposition leader to send us the names from their side quickly, so the committee can begin work promptly.”
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed then gave the floor to the opposition leader. Shafiqur Rahman said, “Thank you to the prime minister for taking this matter positively. We hope this Parliament will become the focal point for solving all national problems, God willing, and we believe this is a new journey for this Parliament. I welcome it, and we will provide the names very soon, God willing.”
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, “I hope the opposition leader will provide the names of five members in a very short time, because this session of Parliament will end later this month. Your remarks have raised much hope among the people. If the government and the opposition move forward in cooperation like this, it will be possible to solve any of the country’s problems.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report