Adviser to the Prime Minister on expatriate welfare and overseas employment, Mahdi Amin, has said that national sovereignty remains the government’s highest priority.
He said the first session of the 13th National Parliament has marked a new milestone in democratic politics. Under the leadership of elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he added, the interests of the people and the country’s sovereignty have been placed above partisan considerations, and these now receive the utmost importance from the government.
Mahdi Amin made the comments on Friday at a May Day program held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.
Mahdi Amin said ideological differences between the BNP and other opposition parties are natural in a democratic process, just as differences existed during the Liberation War and continue to appear in areas such as women’s empowerment. However, he stressed that mutual understanding and collective efforts are essential for advancing the country, strengthening democracy, addressing public concerns, and building a stable society.
He described the recent parliamentary session as dynamic and productive, noting that discussions and decisions prioritised national interests over political differences.
He said the vibrancy of parliament, in-depth debate on issues, commitment to freedom of expression, and respect for human rights reflect the empowerment of the people. He assured that this positive ধারাবাহিকতা will continue under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Mahadi Amin said that whenever the BNP has been in power, it has taken significant steps for the welfare of workers, including labour law reforms, formation of wage commissions, setting minimum wages for garment workers, establishing labour welfare foundations, and providing healthcare and education support for the families of the workers.
He claimed that the growth of Bangladesh’s garment sector is largely the result of BNP's policies.