Jamaat promises to reopen industries, create jobs if elected

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday said his party would reopen closed mills and factories and establish new industries if it comes to power with the people’s mandate.

“By the will of Allah and the people, if Jamaat is entrusted with state power, closed industries will be reopened alongside the establishment of new factories,” he said while addressing a rally at the Circuit House ground in Khulna.

Dr Rahman expressed concern over the decline of Khulna’s industrial and agricultural sectors, blaming factory closures on wrong policies and widespread looting by previous governments.

Talking about the country’s youth, he said, “Jamaat does not want to insult the youth by offering unemployment allowances. We want to put work into their hands, not allowances. Through employment, we aim to restore the dignity of the youth. I want to repay, even if only a little, the debt for their contribution to the July uprising.”

The rally began around 2:00 pm, drawing several thousand Jamaat leaders and workers to the Circuit House ground.

Dr Rahman also expressed concern over incidents of violence and clashes across the country ahead of elections. “One group distributes ‘family cards’ while at the same time engaging in violence against women,” he said, calling on those responsible to seek forgiveness.

Urging political parties to place their trust in the people’s verdict, the Jamaat chief asked voters to exercise their rights freely. “Voters should be able to vote for whoever they choose. We want to escort voters safely to the ballot box. We want a ‘curse-free Bangladesh’ by February 13,” he said.

Source: UNB